phenol

noun

phe·​nol ˈfē-ˌnōl 

-ˌnȯl;

fi-ˈnōl,

-ˈnȯl 

1

: a corrosive poisonous crystalline acidic compound C₆H₅OH present in the tars of coal and wood that in dilute solution is used as a disinfectant

2

: any of various acidic compounds analogous to phenol and regarded as hydroxyl derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons

Examples of phenol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Indeed, researchers already know about microbes that can break down wastes as diverse as coffee grounds and phenol. —Bennett Daviss, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019

The fungi cause a staining of the wood and then eventual advanced decay, and the tree responds to the fungi by trying to wall it off with tannins and phenols that slow fungal growth. —oregonlive, 6 Aug. 2023

Cumene is an intermediate chemical used to produce phenol, which is a refined product used to produce everyday consumer goods and construction materials. —Kennedy Sessions, Chron, 23 Mar. 2023

It’s peated to 139.6 ppm phenol. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 17 Apr. 2021

That was because the Nazis typically responded with extreme measures, like injecting phenol into the hearts of those who were sick, killing them instantly, or burning a hospital to the ground, patients still inside, because they were infected with typhus. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 13 Sep. 2020

This new Port Charlotte vintage furthers their take on the concept of terroir, and that’s despite having a significant peat level of 40 ppm (phenol parts per million). —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Feb. 2023

The whisky offers up notes of cold smoke overlain with medicinal notes of phenol, iodine and seaweed, along with peaty and earthy notes. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 17 May 2022

While taste is subjective, there is a way to objectively measure peat in whisky, and that’s by measuring the phenol, the chemical that gives a whisky its characteristic smoky notes. —Tony Sachs, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2019

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Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary phen- + -ol entry 3

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing phenol

• phenol red

• phenol red

Kids Definition

phenol

noun

phe·​nol ˈfē-ˌnōl  -ˌnȯl 

fi-ˈnōl,

-ˈnȯl

: a white poisonous acidic compound present in tars from coal and wood that when dissolved to make a weak liquid mixture is used as a disinfectant

phenolic

fi-ˈnō-lik

-ˈnäl-ik

adjective

Medical Definition

phenol

noun

phe·​nol ˈfē-ˌnōl  -ˌnȯl 

fi-ˈ

1

: a corrosive poisonous crystalline acidic compound C₆H₅OH present in coal tar and wood tar that is used in the manufacture of resins and plastics, dyes, and pharmaceuticals (as aspirin) and as a topical anesthetic in dilute solution

called also carbolic, carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene

2

: any of various acidic compounds analogous to phenol and regarded as hydroxyl derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons