Logo
dictionary thesaurus

polychlorinated biphenyl

noun
poly·​chlo·​ri·​nat·​ed biphenyl | \ ˌpä-lē-ˈklȯr-ə-ˌnā-təd- How to pronounce polychlorinated biphenyl (audio) \

Definition of polychlorinated biphenyl

: any of several compounds that are produced by replacing hydrogen atoms in biphenyl with chlorine, have various industrial applications, and are toxic environmental pollutants which tend to accumulate in animal tissues

— called also PCB

Examples of polychlorinated biphenyl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 In 2018, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that EPA scientists tested dozens of sites along the river bottom and found that polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels remain dangerously high. — Lorraine Boissoneault, Smithsonian, "The Cuyahoga River Caught Fire at Least a Dozen Times, but No One Cared Until 1969," 19 June 2019 Separately, a March 2019 study found exposure to phthalates and polychlorinated biphenyl — again, two ingredients found in plastics — damaged the quality of sperm exposed to the chemicals. — Julia Belluz, Vox, "Sperm counts are falling. This isn’t the reproductive apocalypse — yet.," 30 May 2019

First Known Use of polychlorinated biphenyl

1959, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for polychlorinated biphenyl

polychlorinated biphenyl

noun
poly·​chlo·​ri·​nat·​ed biphenyl | \ ˌpäl-i-ˈklōr-ə-ˌnāt-əd-, -ˈklȯr- How to pronounce polychlorinated biphenyl (audio) \

Medical Definition of polychlorinated biphenyl

: any of several compounds that are produced by replacing hydrogen atoms in biphenyl with chlorine, have various industrial applications, and are toxic environmental pollutants which tend to accumulate in animal tissues

— called also PCB

WORD OF THE DAY

litmus test

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!