benzyl

noun

ben·​zyl ˈben-ˌzēl  -zəl 

: a monovalent radical C₆H₅CH₂− derived from toluene

benzylic

ben-ˈzi-lik 

adjective

Examples of benzyl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first version was a tanning oil with benzyl salicylate that promised a safer tan but ultimately had extremely low SPF (a term that wasn’t introduced until 1974). — Kara McGrath, Allure, 16 June 2026

Among the chemicals identified were benzyl chloride, a compound used in the production of sanitizers and plasticizers that is possibly carcinogenic and can cause harm to the lungs and digestive tract. — Claretta Bellamy, NBC news, 12 Feb. 2026

Pirro said that 1,300 barrels containing 363,000 pounds of benzyl alcohol and 334,000 pounds of N-Methylformamide were seized from two different vessels on the high seas. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025

But, there are also some unnecessary (potentially irritating) extras—eucalyptus oil, parfum, and benzyl alcohol. — Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 24 June 2025

Meanwhile, vast quantities of a precursor chemical for amphetamines, benzyl methyl ketone, or BMK, were exported from various Western countries to the Middle East. — Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary benz- + -yl

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

benzyl

noun

ben·​zyl ˈben-ˌzēl  -zəl 

: a monovalent radical C₆H₅CH₂ derived from toluene