formalin

noun

for·ma·lin | \ ˈfȯr-mə-lən

How to pronounce formalin (audio)

, -ˌlēn \

Definition of formalin

: a clear aqueous solution of formaldehyde and methanol used especially as a preservative

Examples of formalin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Waste bags filled with formalin, a formaldehyde derivative intended to preserve the remains, had leaked and degraded over time. — Crystal Hill, Indianapolis Star, "Abortion doctor kept fetal remains in moldy boxes amid piles of rubbish, report says," 31 Dec. 2019 One side is further dissected and frozen at minus 80 degrees Celsius, while the other is fixed in formalin. — Emily Toomey, Smithsonian, "Inside a Brain Bank, Where Humans’ Most Precious Organ Is Dissected and Studied," 21 Aug. 2019 The room is quiet, save for a roaring fume hood to mask the wretched formalin stench. — Alex Prewitt, SI.com, "Hockey Players Are the Next Frontier in Head Trauma Research," 7 May 2018 With both squids submerged in a couple thousand gallons of formalin, the addition of these specimens were likely to raise an eyebrow or two. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, "Operation Calamari: How the Smithsonian Got Its Giant Squids," 21 June 2018 At room temperature, formaldehyde is a gas, but when used in a 37% solution with water, it is known as formalin, explained Nikolas P. Lemos, chairman of the toxicology section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. — Susan Scutti, CNN, "Woman dies after being given formaldehyde instead of saline," 10 Apr. 2018 The other is fixed in formalin solution to halt posthumous decay, then refrigerated to stay fresh before McKee and her team conduct their examination. — Alex Prewitt, SI.com, "Hockey Players Are the Next Frontier in Head Trauma Research," 7 May 2018 Following her operation, a nurse mistakenly gave Fedyaeva a solution containing formalin. — Susan Scutti, CNN, "Woman dies after being given formaldehyde instead of saline," 10 Apr. 2018 Collectors injected the specimen with formalin (a solution of formaldehyde) for preservation, and shipped it from east Africa to the U.S. — Lynne Parenti, Smithsonian, "How the Smithsonian’s Coelacanth Lost Its Brain and Got It Back Again," 14 Mar. 2018

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about formalin

Dictionary Entries near formalin

formal discipline

Statistics for formalin

Cite this Entry

“Formalin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formalin. Accessed 15 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for formalin

formalin

noun

for·ma·lin | \ ˈfȯr-mə-lən, -ˌlēn

\

Medical Definition of formalin

: a clear aqueous solution of formaldehyde containing a small amount of methanol

WORD OF THE DAY

heinous

Listen to the pronunciation of heinous

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Choose the best definition or synonym for the word in bold: "There are some eructations that sound like cheers—at least, mine did." Lolita

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ