phenol

noun

phe·​nol ˈfē-ˌnōl 

-ˌnȯl;

fi-ˈnōl, 

-ˈnȯl 

1

: a corrosive poisonous crystalline acidic compound C₆H₅OH present in the tars of coal and wood that in dilute solution is used as a disinfectant

2

: any of various acidic compounds analogous to phenol and regarded as hydroxyl derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons

Examples of phenol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Young grapes lack sugars that would otherwise bind with bitter-tasting phenols in wildfire smoke. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

Three out of the four species can break down phenol, an antifungal compound that conservators used to treat the mummy in 1991. — ArsTechnica, 6 June 2026

Scientists found that some yeast species capable of breaking down phenol, a chemical used to disinfect the mummy after its discovery, have increased over time despite the freezing temperatures. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 June 2026

Species that were able to digest phenol, a chemical used to disinfect the Iceman, have grown—despite the below-freezing temperatures that Ötzi is kept in. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary phen- + -ol entry 3

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing phenol

• phenol red

Rhymes for phenol

• allopurinol
• dinitrophenol
• eugenol
• nitrophenol
• polyphenol
• pentachlorophenol

Kids Definition

phenol

noun

phe·​nol ˈfē-ˌnōl  -ˌnȯl 

fi-ˈnōl, 

-ˈnȯl

: a white poisonous acidic compound present in tars from coal and wood that when dissolved to make a weak liquid mixture is used as a disinfectant

phenolic

fi-ˈnō-lik, 

-ˈnäl-ik

adjective

Medical Definition

phenol

noun

phe·​nol ˈfē-ˌnōl  -ˌnȯl 

fi-ˈ

1

: a corrosive poisonous crystalline acidic compound C₆H₅OH present in coal tar and wood tar that is used in the manufacture of resins and plastics, dyes, and pharmaceuticals (as aspirin) and as a topical anesthetic in dilute solution

called also carbolic, carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene

2

: any of various acidic compounds analogous to phenol and regarded as hydroxyl derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons