toluene

[ tol-yoo-een ]
/ ˈtɒl yuˌin /

noun Chemistry.

a colorless, water-insoluble, flammable liquid, C7H8, having a benzenelike odor, obtained chiefly from coal tar and petroleum: used as a solvent in the manufacture of benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, TNT, and other organic compounds.

Origin of toluene

First recorded in 1870–75; tolu + -ene

Example sentences from the Web for toluene

British Dictionary definitions for toluene

toluene
/ (ˈtɒljʊˌiːn) /

noun

a colourless volatile flammable liquid with an odour resembling that of benzene, obtained from petroleum and coal tar and used as a solvent and in the manufacture of many organic chemicals. Formula: C 6 H 5 CH 3

Word Origin for toluene

C19: from tolu + -ene, since it was previously obtained from tolu

Scientific definitions for toluene

toluene
[ tŏlyōō-ēn′ ]

A clear, toxic, flammable liquid that is used in fuels, explosives, dyes, medicines, and many industrial chemicals. Toluene consists of a methyl group attached to benzene. Also called methylbenzene. Chemical formula: C7H8.