: a crystalline alkaloid compound C8H7N that is a decomposition product of proteins containing tryptophan, that can be made synthetically, and that is used in perfumes
also
: a derivative of indole
Examples of indole in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Heretic Nocturnal Discovery Set, $35 Heretic’s Nocturnal collection explores night-blooming flowers and features notes of indole, found in florals like jasmine and orange blossom, as well as human feces, which Little predicts will be a new go-to in sensual juices.
—
Emily Burns, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
Glucosinolates are broken down into isothiocyanates (such as sulforaphane) and indoles.
—Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 11 June 2025
This transition is accompanied by exposure to breast milk, which contains microbes capable of producing indoles.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
This is in part the work of indole, an aromatic compound present in foul-smelling substances like coal tar and feces, which in trace amounts gives the most delicate of flowers an almost animal opulence.
—New York Times, 11 Oct. 2021
In fact, the flower produces dimethyl trisulfide (also found in Limburger cheese and cabbage), trimethylamine (normally released by rotting fish and animals), isovaleric acid (a major component of foot odor) and indole (found in human feces).
—Karl J. P. Smith, Scientific American, 29 July 2016
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.
Emily Burns, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
Glucosinolates are broken down into isothiocyanates (such as sulforaphane) and indoles.
—Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 11 June 2025
This transition is accompanied by exposure to breast milk, which contains microbes capable of producing indoles.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
This is in part the work of indole, an aromatic compound present in foul-smelling substances like coal tar and feces, which in trace amounts gives the most delicate of flowers an almost animal opulence.
—New York Times, 11 Oct. 2021
In fact, the flower produces dimethyl trisulfide (also found in Limburger cheese and cabbage), trimethylamine (normally released by rotting fish and animals), isovaleric acid (a major component of foot odor) and indole (found in human feces).
—Karl J. P. Smith, Scientific American, 29 July 2016
Cite this Entry
“Indole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indole. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
indole
noun
in·dole
ˈin-ˌdōl 
: a crystalline compound C8H7N that is found along with skatole in the intestines and feces as a decomposition product of proteins containing tryptophan and that can be made synthetically
also
: a derivative of indole
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share