styrene

[ stahy-reen, steer-een ]
/ ˈstaɪ rin, ˈstɪər in /

noun Chemistry.

a colorless, water-insoluble liquid, C8H8, having a penetrating aromatic odor, usually prepared from ethylene and benzene or ethylbenzene, that polymerizes to a clear transparent material and copolymerizes with other materials to form synthetic rubbers.
Compare polystyrene.

Origin of styrene

1880–85; styr- (shortened stem of styrax) + -ene

British Dictionary definitions for styrene

styrene
/ (ˈstaɪriːn) /

noun

a colourless oily volatile flammable water-insoluble liquid made from ethylene and benzene. It is an unsaturated compound and readily polymerizes: used in making synthetic plastics and rubbers. Formula: C 6 H 5 CH:CH 2 See also polystyrene

Word Origin for styrene

C20: from styr ( ax) + -ene

Medical definitions for styrene

styrene
[ stīrēn′ ]

n.

A colorless oily liquid from which polystyrenes, plastics, and synthetic rubber are produced. vinylbenzene

Scientific definitions for styrene

styrene
[ stīrēn′ ]

A colorless, oily aromatic hydrocarbon that readily undergoes polymerization. It is used in making polystyrene, polyesters, synthetic rubber, and other products. Chemical formula: C8H8.