Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

terephthalic acid

noun
tere·​phthal·​ic acid | \ ˌter-ə(f)-ˈtha-lik- How to pronounce terephthalic acid (audio) \

Definition of terephthalic acid

: a p-dicarboxylic acid C8H6O4 that is obtained especially by oxidation of xylene and is used chiefly in the synthesis of polyesters

Examples of terephthalic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The researchers behind its discovery showed that the enzyme degrades PET into mono(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalic acid (MHET). — The Economist, "An enzyme that digests plastic could boost recycling," 16 Apr. 2018

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

First Known Use of terephthalic acid

1857, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for terephthalic acid

International Scientific Vocabulary terebene, mixture of terpenes from distilled turpentine + phthalic acid

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about terephthalic acid

Statistics for terephthalic acid

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for terephthalic acid

The first known use of terephthalic acid was in 1857

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on terephthalic acid

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about terephthalic acid

Comments on terephthalic acid

What made you want to look up terephthalic acid? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

belfry

Listen to the pronounciation of belfry

a bell tower

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Where in the World? A Quiz

  • peter bruegel tower of babel painting
  • What language does pajama come from?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games