xylene

noun

xy·​lene ˈzī-ˌlēn How to pronounce xylene (audio)
: any of three toxic flammable oily isomeric aromatic hydrocarbons C8H10 that are di-methyl homologues of benzene and are usually obtained from petroleum or natural gas distillates
also : a mixture of xylenes and ethyl benzene used chiefly as a solvent

Examples of xylene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For eczema, along with the allergic diseases that routinely develop with it– peanut allergy and asthma – two chemical classes leaped off the page: diisocyanates and xylene. Ian Myles, Discover Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024 The health department wanted the refinery to pull samples for more pollutants, and under the settlement agreement, the company will also monitor for toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes, Ogletree said. Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2024 Last week, Reuters reported that the company was fined for violating US Department of Transportation (DoT) rules regarding the movement of hazardous materials, including xylene, a toxic and flammable solvent sometimes used in tissue processing. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 30 Jan. 2024 Ferns are fantastic for removing common airborne pollutants including formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene. Arricca Elin Sansone, House Beautiful, 21 Aug. 2023 That’s because the Neo P1 is meant to capture and recycle dangerous air pollutants commonly found in homes called volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—namely formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and xylene. Alex Chun, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 May 2023 The lab found that values of benzene, toluene, xylenes and vinyl chloride were below the minimal risk levels for intermediate exposures as set by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Nicki Brown, CNN, 3 Mar. 2023 Many non-toxic nail polishes are now going further, though, to eliminate others like formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, and TPHP. Lindsay Schallon, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2020 According to a Clean Air Study conducted by NASA, indoor plants can also remove toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air — proving to have added health benefits. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 21 Jan. 2020

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

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of xylene was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near xylene

Cite this Entry

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

Medical Definition

xylene

noun
xy·​lene ˈzī-ˌlēn How to pronounce xylene (audio)
: any of three toxic flammable oily isomeric aromatic hydrocarbons C8H10 that are dimethyl homologues of benzene and are usually obtained from petroleum or natural gas distillates
also : a commercial mixture of xylenes used chiefly as a solvent

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