naphthalene
noun
naph·tha·lene
| \ ˈnaf-thə-ˌlēn
, nonstandard ˈnap-\
, nonstandard ˈnap-\
Definition of naphthalene
: a crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon C10H8 usually obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially in organic synthesis
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Examples of naphthalene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Additional testing found detectable levels of propanol, acetone, dichlorodifluoromethane, chloromethane, naphthalene in the air as well. — Cameron Knight, Cincinnati.com, "Frustrated by months of silence, leaders to hold meeting on Winton Terrace air quality," 12 Dec. 2018 Your grandma's favorite method is on the outs now that many experts consider the chemicals — naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene — a health risk. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Moths in Every Part of Your Home, According to Experts," 13 Mar. 2019 California already considers the pesticides known carcinogens, and the European Union has banned naphthalene. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Moths in Every Part of Your Home, According to Experts," 13 Mar. 2019 California already considers the pesticides known carcinogens, and the European Union has banned naphthalene. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Moths in Every Part of Your Home, According to Experts," 13 Mar. 2019 Your grandma's favorite method is on the outs now that many experts consider the chemicals — naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene — a health risk. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Moths in Every Part of Your Home, According to Experts," 13 Mar. 2019 The Washington Post reported Thursday that tests on the doughnuts showed the chemical naphthalene, which can be fatal. — Fox News, "Police probe whether estranged husband poisoned doughnuts," 11 May 2018 Researchers believe that about half of the carbon remains in its pure form while the rest of it binds with hydrogen, creating either greasy aliphatic carbon or gaseous naphthalene, the stuff used in mothballs. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Our Galaxy Is Really Greasy and Smells Like Moth Balls," 28 June 2018 Tests performed on the pastries showed the presence of naphthalene, a chemical that is commonly found in mothballs and can be harmful or even fatal if ingested in larger doses, according to the search warrant. — Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, "Police investigate whether father gave children poisoned doughnuts to take to his estranged wife," 10 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'naphthalene.' 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 naphthalene
naphthalene
noun
naph·tha·lene
| \ -ˌlēn
\
\
Medical Definition of naphthalene
: a crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon C10H8 usually obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially in organic synthesis and formerly as a topical and intestinal antiseptic
Other Words from naphthalene
naphthalenic
\ ˌnaf-thə-ˈlen-ik
, ˌnap-
, -ˈlēn- \
adjective
, ˌnap-
, -ˈlēn- \
adjective