1 formalin | Definition of formalin

formalin

noun
for·​ma·​lin | \ ˈfȯr-mÉ™-lÉ™n How to pronounce formalin (audio) , -ËŒlÄ“n\

Definition of formalin

: a clear aqueous solution of formaldehyde and methanol used especially as a preservative

Examples of formalin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The room is quiet, save for a roaring fume hood to mask the wretched formalin stench. Alex Prewitt, SI.com, "Hockey Players Are the Next Frontier in Head Trauma Research," 7 May 2018 With both squids submerged in a couple thousand gallons of formalin, the addition of these specimens were likely to raise an eyebrow or two. Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, "Operation Calamari: How the Smithsonian Got Its Giant Squids," 21 June 2018 At room temperature, formaldehyde is a gas, but when used in a 37% solution with water, it is known as formalin, explained Nikolas P. Lemos, chairman of the toxicology section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Susan Scutti, CNN, "Woman dies after being given formaldehyde instead of saline," 10 Apr. 2018 The other is fixed in formalin solution to halt posthumous decay, then refrigerated to stay fresh before McKee and her team conduct their examination. Alex Prewitt, SI.com, "Hockey Players Are the Next Frontier in Head Trauma Research," 7 May 2018 Following her operation, a nurse mistakenly gave Fedyaeva a solution containing formalin. Susan Scutti, CNN, "Woman dies after being given formaldehyde instead of saline," 10 Apr. 2018 Collectors injected the specimen with formalin (a solution of formaldehyde) for preservation, and shipped it from east Africa to the U.S. Lynne Parenti, Smithsonian, "How the Smithsonian’s Coelacanth Lost Its Brain and Got It Back Again," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'formalin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of formalin

1893, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for formalin

Formalin, a trademark

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More Definitions for formalin

formalin

noun
for·​ma·​lin | \ ˈfȯr-mÉ™-lÉ™n, -ËŒlÄ“n How to pronounce formalin (audio) \

Medical Definition of formalin

: a clear aqueous solution of formaldehyde containing a small amount of methanol