benzopyrene

noun

ben·​zo·​py·​rene ˌben-zō-ˈpī-ˌrēn 

-pī-ˈrēn

: a yellow crystalline carcinogenic hydrocarbon C₂₀H₁₂ found in coal tar

called also benzo[a]pyrene

Examples of benzopyrene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now the soil and groundwater are contaminated with coal tar and 15 other toxins ranging from arsenic to compounds called benzopyrenes, which cause cancer. —Lauren Ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, 19 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary benz- + pyrene a crystalline hydrocarbon C₁₆H₁₀, from pyr- + -ene

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

benzopyrene

noun

ben·​zo·​py·​rene ˌben-zō-ˈpī(ə)r-ˌēn, -pī-ˈrēn 

variants or benzpyrene

benz-ˈpī(ə)r-ˌēn, ˌbenz-pī-ˈrēn 

: a mixture of two isomeric hydrocarbons C₂₀H₁₂ of which one is highly carcinogenic see benzo[a]pyrene