benzopyrene

noun

ben·zo·py·rene | \ˌben-zō-ˈpī-ˌrēn,

-pī-ˈrēn\

Definition of benzopyrene

: a yellow crystalline carcinogenic hydrocarbon C₂₀H₁₂ found in coal tar

— called also benzo[a]pyrene

Examples of benzopyrene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now the soil and groundwater are contaminated with coal tar and 15 other toxins ranging from arsenic to compounds called benzopyrenes, which cause cancer. — Lauren Ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Nine toxic Superfund sites in Central Florida waiting for EPA help," 19 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'benzopyrene.' 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 benzopyrene was in 1936

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benzopyrene

noun

ben·zo·py·rene | \ˌben-zō-ˈpī(ə)r-ˌēn, -pī-ˈrēn

\

variants: or benzpyrene \benz-ˈpī(ə)r-ˌēn, ˌbenz-pī-ˈrēn

\

Medical Definition of benzopyrene

: a mixture of two isomeric hydrocarbons C₂₀H₁₂ of which one is highly carcinogenic — see benzo[a]pyrene

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