toluene
noun
tol·u·ene
| \ ˈtäl-yə-ˌwēn
\
\
Definition of toluene
: a liquid aromatic hydrocarbon C7H8 that resembles benzene but is less volatile, flammable, and toxic and is used especially as a solvent, in organic synthesis, and as an antiknock agent for gasoline
Examples of toluene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This shouldn’t be surprising, given the ingredients in hair products, including formaldehyde (known carcinogen), toluene (neurological and developmental toxicant), sodium hydroxide (lye), and triphenyl phosphate (suspected endocrine disruptor). — Longreads, "True Roots," 5 June 2019 Writers often cite a 2009 study by South Carolina State University researchers that claimed that paraffin wax releases harmful chemicals such as toluene. — Sam Gutierrez, House Beautiful, "Are Your Favorite Candles Slowly Poisoning You?," 26 Dec. 2018 Some polishes include potential cancer-causing chemicals like dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde. — Elizabeth Denton, Seventeen, "13 Things You Need To Know Before Getting a Gel Manicure," 16 July 2018 Overexposure to benzenes, toluene, herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, painting materials and lead might contribute to low sperm counts and exposure to x-rays or other radiation might alter sperm production, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Mari A. Schaefer, Philly.com, "Study: Nutrition in nuts may help boost sperm count," 10 July 2018 His team first tried recreating the 1986 experiment, in which researchers got T. auensis to make toluene. — Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, "In 1986, scientists found fuel-producing bacteria at the bottom of a Swiss lake. Now, they know how it works," 21 Mar. 2018 The shade, named for the flowering shrub, gives just a pop of color and is eight-free — no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, triphenyl phosphate and parabens — vegan and cruelty free. — Atlanta Life, ajc, "Eyecatchers," 22 Mar. 2018 The observed barrels are falling apart, and the soil and groundwater around them tests high for related contaminants toluene, chlorobenzene, phenol and heavy metals, according to DEQ documents. — Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, "At Detroit River site, DEQ continues to dig up old Chrysler plant's buried, polluted past," 22 Mar. 2018 Trade in the paraffin kind, which can release icky chemicals like alkens and toluene, for a cleaner burn with beeswax. — Allison Young, Sunset, "Top 10 Holistic Home Products," 22 Jan. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'toluene.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for toluene
toluene
noun
tol·u·ene
| \ ˈtäl-yə-ˌwēn
\
\
Medical Definition of toluene
: a liquid aromatic hydrocarbon C7H8 that resembles benzene but is less volatile, flammable, and toxic and is used as a solvent, in organic synthesis, and as an antiknock agent for gasoline
— called also methylbenzene