benzoic acid

noun

ben·zo·ic acid | \ben-ˈzō-ik-

Definition of benzoic acid

: a white crystalline acid C₆H₅COOH found naturally (as in benzoin or in cranberries) or made synthetically and used especially as a preservative of foods, as an antifungal agent in pharmaceuticals, and in organic synthesis

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Juul pods include glycerol, propylene glycol, natural oils, extracts and flavor, nicotine and benzoic acid, company officials say, but not diacetyl, a potentially harmful chemical used in other vaping products for flavoring. — Jill Tucker, SFChronicle.com, "As Juul vaping surges among teens, health concerns grow," 27 May 2018 Juul’s e-cigarette liquid contains only five: glycerol, propylene glycol, nicotine, benzoic acid, and food-grade flavoring. — Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, "The Promise of Vaping and the Rise of Juul," 7 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'benzoic acid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of benzoic acid was in 1791

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benzoic acid

noun

ben·zo·ic acid | \ben-ˌzō-ik-

Medical Definition of benzoic acid

: a white crystalline acid C₆H₆O₂ found naturally (as in benzoin or in cranberries) or made synthetically and used especially as a preservative of foods, in medicine, and in organic synthesis