benzene
Benzene (noun) means a colorless, flammable liquid hydrocarbon with the formula C6H6, made of a ring of six carbon atoms, widely used in industry as a solvent and raw material. Example: “Benzene is a known carcinogen and is tightly regulated in consumer products.”
How to use benzene
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common industrial chemical made of a ring-shaped molecule, notable for being both useful and toxic.
Not the same word as "Benz" (the car surname) — the resemblance is coincidental.
Word forms
benzenes plural
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_____ is a known carcinogen and is tightly regulated in consumer products.
Etymology
Coined in German from Benzin, itself based on Benzoesäure ("benzoic acid"), with the chemical suffix -ene added when the compound was renamed in English in 1872.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for benzene
See all rhymes for benzene →Frequently asked questions
What does “benzene” mean?
The word “benzene” means a colorless, flammable liquid hydrocarbon with the formula C6H6, made of a ring of six carbon atoms, widely used in industry as a solvent and raw material. In plain terms, a common industrial chemical made of a ring-shaped molecule, notable for being both useful and toxic.
How do you pronounce “benzene”?
“Benzene” is pronounced BEHN-zeen (/ˈbɛnziːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “benzene” in a sentence?
Here is “benzene” used in a sentence: “Benzene is a known carcinogen and is tightly regulated in consumer products.”
What part of speech is “benzene”?
“Benzene” is a noun.
Where does the word “benzene” come from?
The word “benzene” dates back to around 1872 and comes from German. Coined in German from Benzin, itself based on Benzoesäure ("benzoic acid"), with the chemical suffix -ene added when the compound was renamed in English in 1872.
Is “benzene” a common word?
“Benzene” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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