: a colorless volatile flammable toxic liquid aromatic hydrocarbon C6H6 used in organic synthesis, as a solvent, and as a motor fuel
Examples of benzene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Scientists only became aware of wildfire benzene contamination after the 2017 Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa, Calif.
—
Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
After the wildfire that destroyed Paradise in 2018, testing found benzene concentrations in drinking water had spiked to more than 80 times levels that California health officials say are dangerous for short-term exposure.
—Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Many leak contaminants like brine, methane and benzene into waterways, farmland and neighborhoods.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 30 Dec. 2024
The ash contains volatile organic compounds that can include benzene, silica, asbestos, lead, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen fluoride.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for benzene 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
After the wildfire that destroyed Paradise in 2018, testing found benzene concentrations in drinking water had spiked to more than 80 times levels that California health officials say are dangerous for short-term exposure.
—Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Many leak contaminants like brine, methane and benzene into waterways, farmland and neighborhoods.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 30 Dec. 2024
The ash contains volatile organic compounds that can include benzene, silica, asbestos, lead, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen fluoride.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for benzene
Dictionary Entries Near benzene
Cite this Entry
“Benzene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benzene. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
benzene
noun
ben·zene
ˈben-ˌzēn 
ben-ˈzēn
: a colorless flammable liquid that evaporates easily and is used to make or dissolve other chemicals or as a motor fuel
Medical Definition
: a colorless volatile flammable toxic liquid aromatic hydrocarbon C6H6 used in organic synthesis, as a solvent, and as a motor fuel
called also benzol
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share