: any of three toxic flammable oily isomeric aromatic hydrocarbons C8H10 that are di-methyl homologues of benzene and are usually obtained from petroleum or natural gas distillates
also
: a mixture of xylenes and ethyl benzene used chiefly as a solvent
Examples of xylene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Combustion from natural gas turbines releases a complex mixture of pollutants, including fine and coarse particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and hazardous chemicals such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes.
—
Namuun Batbaatar, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
Her tests inside homes go beyond those typically conducted by officials and industrial hygienists, screening for toxic compounds like ethylbenzene, a possible carcinogen, and toluene and xylenes, which can affect the nervous system.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
The work was technical and time-consuming, but the analysis showed a clear relationship: Mothers and fathers of children with autism were more likely than the parents of unaffected children to have been exposed to solvents such as lacquer, varnish and xylene on the job.
—Sharon Lerner, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
The clear liquid in the glass bottles and weed sprayer were determined to be 87 octane gasoline, which was determined to contain xylene.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 2 June 2025
There was a brief period when the smoke from the fire stayed closer to the ground and measurements of dangerous particulate matters – including benzene, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and xylene – were measured at a high level, the agency said.
—Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
For eczema, along with the allergic diseases that routinely develop with it– peanut allergy and asthma – two chemical classes leaped off the page: diisocyanates and xylene.
—Ian Myles, Discover Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
The health department wanted the refinery to pull samples for more pollutants, and under the settlement agreement, the company will also monitor for toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes, Ogletree said.
—Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2024
Last week, Reuters reported that the company was fined for violating US Department of Transportation (DoT) rules regarding the movement of hazardous materials, including xylene, a toxic and flammable solvent sometimes used in tissue processing.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 30 Jan. 2024
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Namuun Batbaatar, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
Her tests inside homes go beyond those typically conducted by officials and industrial hygienists, screening for toxic compounds like ethylbenzene, a possible carcinogen, and toluene and xylenes, which can affect the nervous system.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
The work was technical and time-consuming, but the analysis showed a clear relationship: Mothers and fathers of children with autism were more likely than the parents of unaffected children to have been exposed to solvents such as lacquer, varnish and xylene on the job.
—Sharon Lerner, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
The clear liquid in the glass bottles and weed sprayer were determined to be 87 octane gasoline, which was determined to contain xylene.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 2 June 2025
There was a brief period when the smoke from the fire stayed closer to the ground and measurements of dangerous particulate matters – including benzene, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and xylene – were measured at a high level, the agency said.
—Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
For eczema, along with the allergic diseases that routinely develop with it– peanut allergy and asthma – two chemical classes leaped off the page: diisocyanates and xylene.
—Ian Myles, Discover Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
The health department wanted the refinery to pull samples for more pollutants, and under the settlement agreement, the company will also monitor for toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes, Ogletree said.
—Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2024
Last week, Reuters reported that the company was fined for violating US Department of Transportation (DoT) rules regarding the movement of hazardous materials, including xylene, a toxic and flammable solvent sometimes used in tissue processing.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 30 Jan. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Xylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/xylene. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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