propylene

noun

pro·​pyl·​ene ˈprō-pə-ˌlēn How to pronounce propylene (audio)
: a flammable gaseous hydrocarbon C3H6 obtained by cracking petroleum hydrocarbons and used chiefly in organic synthesis

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The team says its PHAs outperformed both high-density polyethylene and isotactic propylene, which is used to make automotive parts and synthetic fibers. Angela Wang, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 May 2023 The researchers found traces of propylene oxide in Sagittarius B2 with the help of two radio telescopes, one in West Virginia and one in Australia. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 14 June 2016 And Cummings said a car carrying propylene was punctured and released some vapor. Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2023 In this discovery, reported by Caltech researchers in June, radio telescopes picked up faint traces of the organic compound propylene oxide in a vast cloud of gas and dust called Sagittarius B2, which is near the center of our galaxy. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 14 Dec. 2016 And there’s growing demand for ethylene (used in antifreeze, plastics, and solvents) and propylene. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2022 The database will shed light on 68% of CO2 emissions for ethylene, propylene, styrene and more, helping overcome the reporting challenges facing the chemical sector. Jeremy Pafford, Forbes, 30 June 2022 Another similar incident took place in the facility later that year in August when a propylene recovery unit caught fire, leading to a drop in production, according to Reuters. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021 Factories in China that turn propane into propylene—first stop on its way to becoming takeout containers—were too complex to shut down. Ryan Dezember, WSJ, 25 Oct. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'propylene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of propylene was in 1850

Dictionary Entries Near propylene

Cite this Entry

“Propylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propylene. Accessed 8 Jun. 2023.

Medical Definition

propylene

noun
pro·​pyl·​ene ˈprō-pə-ˌlēn How to pronounce propylene (audio)
: a flammable gaseous hydrocarbon C3H6 obtained by cracking petroleum hydrocarbons and used chiefly in organic synthesis

called also propene

More from Merriam-Webster on propylene

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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