SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

benzoyl peroxide

noun

Definition of benzoyl peroxide

:a colorless to white crystalline compound C₁₄H₁₀O₄ that is used as a bleaching agent (as for whitening flour), as a catalyst for the synthesis of polymers (such as polystyrene), and medically as an antibacterial and keratolytic agent especially for the topical treatment of acne

See benzoyl peroxide defined for kids

First Known Use of benzoyl peroxide

1867

Medical Dictionary

benzoyl peroxide

noun

medical Definition of benzoyl peroxide

:a white crystalline flammable compound C₁₄H₁₀O₄ used in bleaching and in medicine especially in the treatment of acne

Note: Benzoyl peroxide is marketed the trademark Epiduo when used in combination with adapalene.

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up benzoyl peroxide? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

euphony

play

pleasing or sweet sound

BROWSE DICTIONARY

benzoyl chloride

benzoylglycine

benzoyl peroxide

benzpyrinium

benzyl

Test Your Vocabulary

Forms of Government Quiz

A gerontocracy is rule by:

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59e50f5a357b4

'Spox' May Go On The Record

From newsroom lingo to the mainstream

alt-59e506c5c02ae

C'mon, Of Course 'Myriad' Is a Noun

For a myriad of reasons

alt-59e12097b419d

'Gamut' and 'Gambit' (and 'Gauntlet' Too)

Know when to use (or run) each.

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Some borrowed words don't get returned

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

knupfer-painting-solon-before-croesus

Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

Take the quiz

rembrandt-painting-a-young-scholar-and-his-tutor

Original Meanings Quiz

A quiz for the pedantic and those annoyed by them!

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

Dictionary Devil

Dictionary Devil

The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put it back together?

Play the game