propylene

noun

pro·​pyl·​ene ˈprō-pə-ˌlēn 

: a flammable gaseous hydrocarbon C₃H₆ obtained by cracking petroleum hydrocarbons and used chiefly in organic synthesis

Examples of propylene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With oil and natural gas markets disrupted by the halt of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, basic chemicals — such as ethylene and propylene, which go into plastics — have become increasingly uncompetitive to produce in Europe. —Marilen Martin, Bloomberg, 15 Apr. 2026

Analyst Jeffrey Zekauskas said the prices of two key chemicals, ethylene and propylene, have jumped due to the conflict in the Middle East. —Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026

Some of the most important petrochemical building blocks include chemicals such as ethylene, propylene and benzene. —André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026

Among other work, the article describes lab experiments focused on maximizing output of ethylene and propylene—the building blocks of polyethylene and polypropylene plastics. —Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing propylene

• propylene glycol

Rhymes for propylene

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Medical Definition

propylene

noun

pro·​pyl·​ene ˈprō-pə-ˌlēn 

: a flammable gaseous hydrocarbon C₃H₆ obtained by cracking petroleum hydrocarbons and used chiefly in organic synthesis

called also propene