styrene

noun

sty·​rene ˈstī-ˌrēn 

: a fragrant liquid unsaturated hydrocarbon C₈H₈ used chiefly in making synthetic rubber, resins, and plastics and in improving drying oils

also : any of various synthetic plastics made from styrene by polymerization or copolymerization

Examples of styrene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Doing so caused the carbon black particles to heat the plastic polystyrene particles, molecularly breaking them down into liquid styrenes. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 25 Nov. 2024

The plant produced the chemical styrene that leaked from a rail car in the Cleves area in September, which prompted an evacuation of 210 households. —Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 18 Nov. 2024

The company tied to the September leak of styrene will close its plant in Addyston next year. —Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 31 Oct. 2024

The East Palestine train derailment and styrene leak near Cincinnati happened within Ohio. —Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin styrax

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing styrene

• acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene

Medical Definition

styrene

noun

sty·​rene ˈstī-ˌrēn 

: a fragrant liquid unsaturated hydrocarbon C₈H₈ used chiefly in making synthetic rubber, resins, and plastics and in improving drying oils

also : any of various synthetic plastics made from styrene by polymerization or copolymerization