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
And rice water contains phenols, which may help in treating alopecia areata.
—
Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 1 Jan. 2024
But, Levin noted, severe headaches are often caused by inflammation — which phenols aren’t prone to causing.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
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
Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 1 Jan. 2024
But, Levin noted, severe headaches are often caused by inflammation — which phenols aren’t prone to causing.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phenol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near phenol
Cite this Entry
“Phenol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phenol. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
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
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