pentachlorophenol

noun

pen·​ta·​chlo·​ro·​phe·​nol ˌpen-tə-ˌklȯr-ə-ˈfē-ˌnōl How to pronounce pentachlorophenol (audio) -fi-ˈnōl How to pronounce pentachlorophenol (audio)
: a crystalline compound C6Cl5OH used especially as a wood preservative and fungicide and a disinfectant

Examples of pentachlorophenol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But pentachlorophenol and the copper formulas were lasting 60 years or longer. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2020 Creosote and pentachlorophenol were both banned for residential uses in the late 1980s, although they can still be used for railroad ties, utility poles and some farm uses. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2020 Near Alexandra, in central Louisiana, two plants that use coal-tar creosote and pentachlorophenol to pressure-treat and preserve wooden objects like rail ties and telephone poles operate directly adjacent to communities. Justin Nobel, Longreads, 13 July 2017 Pentachlorophenol contains dioxins, which are used in making chemical weapons, like Agent Orange, and can peel away human skin and cause leukemia. Justin Nobel, Longreads, 13 July 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pentachlorophenol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pentachlorophenol was in 1869

Dictionary Entries Near pentachlorophenol

Cite this Entry

“Pentachlorophenol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pentachlorophenol. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

pentachlorophenol

noun
pen·​ta·​chlo·​ro·​phe·​nol ˌpent-ə-ˌklōr-ə-ˈfē-ˌnōl How to pronounce pentachlorophenol (audio) -ˌnȯl- How to pronounce pentachlorophenol (audio)
-ˌklȯr-,
-fi-ˈ
: a crystalline compound C6Cl5OH used especially as a wood preservative, insecticide, and fungicide

called also PCP

More from Merriam-Webster on pentachlorophenol

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!