phenol

noun

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phe·nol | \ ˈfē-ˌnōl

, -ˌnȯl; fi-ˈnōl, -ˈnȯl

Definition of phenol

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

Example Sentences Phrases Containing phenol Learn More About phenol

Examples of phenol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Next to Bruichladdich’s Octomores, Ardbeg has the peatiest whiskies in all of Scotland, as measured by phenol parts per million. — Tony Sachs, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2019 Wildfire smoke carries potentially damaging volatile phenol compounds that can penetrate grape skins. — Michael Alberty | For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 18 Jan. 2022 Deepak Mehta, chairman of Deepak Nitrite, makes his debut with a net worth of $2.05 billion thanks to a threefold rise in the company’s stock price amid rising demand for phenol, used in laminates, plywoods and paints. — Anu Raghunathan, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2021 More than 60,000 people were killed there by being given lethal injections of gasoline or phenol directly to their hearts, or being shot or starved. — Kirsten Grieshaber, USA TODAY, 30 Sep. 2021 More than 60,000 people were killed there by being given lethal injections of gasoline or phenol directly to their hearts, shot or starved. — David Rising, Star Tribune, 5 Feb. 2021 More than 60,000 people were killed there by being given lethal injections of gasoline or phenol directly to their hearts, shot or starved. — David Rising, Star Tribune, 5 Feb. 2021 More than 60,000 people were killed there by being given lethal injections of gasoline or phenol directly to their hearts, shot or starved. — David Rising, Star Tribune, 5 Feb. 2021 More than 60,000 people were killed there by being given lethal injections of gasoline or phenol directly to their hearts, shot or starved. — David Rising, Star Tribune, 5 Feb. 2021 See More

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

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Last Updated

6 Apr 2022

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“Phenol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phenol. Accessed 17 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for phenol

phenol

noun

phe·nol | \ ˈfē-ˌnōl

, -ˌnȯl

, fi-ˈ \

Medical Definition of phenol

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