furan

noun

fu·​ran ˈfyu̇r-ˌan  fyu̇-ˈran 

variants or less commonly furane

ˈfyu̇r-ˌān  fyu̇-ˈrān 

: a cyclic flammable liquid compound C₄H₄O that is obtained from wood oils of pines or made synthetically and is used especially in organic synthesis

also : any of various derivatives of furan

Examples of furan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Modern bacteria are thought to use furans for cellular signaling. —Byandrew Curry, science.org, 4 May 2023

Next, the team equipped modern Pseudomonas protegens bacteria with a pair of ancient genes to make proteins that produce milligrams’ worth of a molecule called a furan. —Byandrew Curry, science.org, 4 May 2023

Burning plastic releases toxic gases such as dioxins, furans, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls — better known as PCBs — into the atmosphere. —Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2023

Next, Rao and her colleagues plan to extend their research to exploring how the cold-brew versus hot-brew processes and roasting temperatures affect the flavor compounds in raw coffee beans, called furans. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 9 Apr. 2020

Heavy polluters Incinerators release many air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, particulate matter, lead, mercury, dioxins and furans. —Ana Baptista, The Conversation, 20 June 2019

Another way to convert waste to energy is through gasification, a process that melts plastics at very high temperatures in the near-absence of oxygen (which means toxins like dioxins and furans aren’t formed). —Elizabeth Royte, National Geographic, 12 Mar. 2019

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from furfural

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for furan

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Medical Definition

furan

noun

fu·​ran ˈfyu̇(ə)r-ˌan  fyu̇-ˈran 

variants also furane

ˈfyu̇(ə)r-ˌān  fyu̇-ˈrān 

: a flammable liquid C₄H₄O obtained from oils of pines or made synthetically and used especially in organic synthesis

also : a derivative of furan