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 Between 1953 and 1987, the base's water supply was contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), exceeding safe limits by up to 3,400 times. Jeremy Yurow, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024 But victims are still waiting for closure Drinking water at Camp Lejeune was heavily contaminated with a number of cancer-causing industrial chemicals, including trichloroethylene or TCE, vinyl chloride and benzene, from 1953 to 1985. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 31 Jan. 2024 Those issues include lead in local drinking water, tailpipe emissions in trucks and contamination from trichloroethylene and polyfluorinated substances that are now ubiquitous in humans and animals, Mr. Bapna said. Ralph Vartabedian, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2023 There were extremely high levels of trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, vinyl chloride and benzene — colorless chemicals that can cause several diseases, including cardiac defects and some cancers, the ATSDR said. Anna Schecter, NBC News, 18 Sep. 2023 In recent weeks, he’s met with staff for each of the five commissioners, urging them to consider the toxic pollutants emitted by Aliso in relatively small amounts even during normal operating conditions — including benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, all of which can cause cancer. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2023 Unsafe levels of the carcinogen trichloroethylene, or TCE, have forced the evacuation of two Milwaukee-area apartment developments this year, prompting questions from residents about where the toxic chemical is found in the region. Andrew Hahn, Journal Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2023 Tests have shown that trichloroethylene, or TCE, which is a degreaser, contaminated the soil, bled into the groundwater and vaporized into the air. Sarah Bahari, Dallas News, 9 Aug. 2023 Study authors warn that exposure to trichloroethylene was and continues to be widespread, possibly involving millions of people worldwide. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trichloroethylene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trichloroethylene was circa 1919

Dictionary Entries Near trichloroethylene

Cite this Entry

“Trichloroethylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trichloroethylene. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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