trichloroethylene

noun

tri·​chlo·​ro·​eth·​y·​lene ˌtrī-ˌklȯr-ō-ˈe-thə-ˌlēn How to pronounce trichloroethylene (audio)
: a nonflammable toxic liquid C2HCl3 used especially as an industrial solvent

Examples of trichloroethylene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
And last week, the EPA asked a federal appeals court to further delay the ban until the end of May. TCE, short for trichloroethylene, is one of five toxic substances for which full or partial bans put in place by the EPA under President Joe Biden are now under threat. Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 26 Mar. 2025 Other pollutants that alarmed the EWG researchers were volatile organic compounds, like trichloroethylene (TCE), nitrates, heavy metals like arsenic and disinfection byproducts. Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 26 Feb. 2025 During that time, dangerous chemicals including trichloroethylene and dichloroethylene contaminated the site, according to a report by WUSA 9. Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025 Others impose new fees for industry releases of methane, a potent warming gas; ban the manufacture of trichloroethylene, a toxic chemical solvent; and cut leaks of another warming gas, hydrofluorocarbons, from refrigeration equipment. Bydan Charles, science.org, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trichloroethylene

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trichloroethylene was circa 1919

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Cite this Entry

“Trichloroethylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trichloroethylene. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

trichloroethylene

noun
tri·​chlo·​ro·​eth·​y·​lene
variants also trichlorethylene
: a nonflammable liquid C2HCl3 used as a solvent and in medicine as an anesthetic and analgesic
abbreviation TCE

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