dimethyl sulfoxide

noun

: a compound C₂H₆SO obtained as a by-product in wood-pulp manufacture and used as a solvent and in medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent

called also DMSO

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Researchers added an uncommon solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide, to heat the molecule to between 80 and 120 degrees Celsius. —

Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 23 Jan. 2023 Depending on the sample, scientists might use different techniques to prevent ice crystals from developing, but the most common method is to treat the cells with dimethyl sulfoxide. —

Katharine Gammon, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2019 The Northwestern scientists added PFAS molecules to a solution of lye and dimethyl sulfoxide and exposed them to temperatures of up to 248 degrees Fahrenheit. —

Aria Bendix, NBC News, 18 Aug. 2022 For the electrolyte, the researchers used a mixture of organic chemicals that had been demonstrated in earlier work (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate mixed with dimethyl sulfoxide). —

John Timmer, Ars Technica, 22 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dimethyl sulfoxide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of dimethyl sulfoxide was in 1964

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near dimethyl sulfoxide

dimethylolurea

dimethyl sulfoxide

dimethyl terephthalate

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dimethyl sulfoxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dimethyl%20sulfoxide. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Copy Citation