To save this word, you'll need to log in.
phe·nol | \ ˈfē-ˌnōl 
, -ˌnȯl; fi-ˈnōl, -ˈnȯl \
, -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
Examples of phenol in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web Now, researchers have discovered that soaking carbon nanotubes in phenol can increase their ability to disperse heat by one-sixth, allowing less nanomaterials to be used for the same job.
—
Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "How Nanotech Will Help the U.S. Military Reach Mach 5," 19 Nov. 2019 These chemicals—such as benzene, toluene, naphthalene, anthracene, and phenol—form the basis for perfumes, explosives, and medicines.
—
Akshat Rathi, Quartz, "The science of what makes coal so dirty," 23 Oct. 2019 In the end, more than 60,000 people were killed there by being given lethal injections of gasoline or phenol directly to their hearts, shot or starved.
—
Time, "Former Nazi SS Guard Goes on Trial at Age 93 for 5,230 Counts of Accessory to Murder," 17 Oct. 2019 That same year, Ian Baldwin and Jack Schultz from Dartmouth University found that seedlings of poplar and sugar maple began pumping out anti-herbivore phenols when placed in a growth chamber next to saplings with shredded leaves.
—
Quanta Magazine, "The Secret Language of Plants," 16 Dec. 2013 As the trial opened last week, prosecutor Andreas Brendel detailed how prisoners were killed by being given lethal injections of gasoline or phenol directly to their hearts, shot or starved.
—
David Rising, The Seattle Times, "Former SS guard testifies he was aware of camp conditions," 13 Nov. 2018 Yet the list of ingredients (one version contains phenol, a potential irritant) didn’t sit well with her.
—
Kari Molvar, Vogue, "Meet Moon Juice’s Next Cult Creation: Skin Care With Super-herbs," 7 June 2018 Dark chocolate is touted for its sky-high levels of antioxidants like phenols, natural plant compounds that have been shown to protect your heart and improve memory.
—
Marygrace Taylor, Woman's Day, "These 10 Foods Are Cheaper and Healthier Than Pricey 'Superfoods'," 24 Nov. 2014 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, phenol is an acid in both substance and vapor form that is corrosive to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.
—
Amy Lieu, Fox News, "Chemical spill at Chicago-area medical clinic sends at least 15 to hospital," 28 Mar. 2018
See MoreThese 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for phenol
phenol
nounphe·nol | \ ˈfē-ˌnōl , -ˌnȯl , fi-ˈ \
, -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
Comments on phenol
What made you want to look up phenol? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share phenol
Time Traveler for phenol
The first known use of phenol was in 1849
See more words from the same year