naphthalene
noun
naph·tha·lene
ˈnaf-thə-ˌlēn 
nonstandard ˈnap-
: a crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon C10H8 usually obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially in organic synthesis
Examples of naphthalene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After the Marshall Fire, hazardous gases associated with the wildfire smoke, such as benzene and naphthalene, could be detected in homes downwind of the fire long after the burns were put out.
—
Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025
One of the concerning chemicals found at the site, naphthalene, can cause neurological and liver damage from short-term exposure.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Mar. 2024
The process can create air and water pollution problems and has been tied to harmful contaminants such as naphthalene, benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, benzo(a)pyrene and others.
—Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 14 July 2023
Your grandma's favorite method is on the outs now that many experts consider the chemicals in mothballs — naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene — a health risk.
—Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 30 June 2023
Your grandma's favorite method is on the outs now that many experts consider the chemicals — naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene — a health risk.
—Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 21 Jan. 2021
Ethylene glycol was used in the largest quantities, but acrylamide, formaldehyde and naphthalene were also common.
—Vivian R. Underhill, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2023
On Earth, superplasticizers are typically hard-to-pronounce substances like naphthalene and polycarboxylate.
—Daniel Oberhaus, Wired, 22 May 2020
The sample cylinders made with urea and naphthalene could hold the heavy weights and retain a mostly stable shape.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 31 Mar. 2020
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Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025
One of the concerning chemicals found at the site, naphthalene, can cause neurological and liver damage from short-term exposure.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Mar. 2024
The process can create air and water pollution problems and has been tied to harmful contaminants such as naphthalene, benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, benzo(a)pyrene and others.
—Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 14 July 2023
Your grandma's favorite method is on the outs now that many experts consider the chemicals in mothballs — naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene — a health risk.
—Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 30 June 2023
Your grandma's favorite method is on the outs now that many experts consider the chemicals — naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene — a health risk.
—Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 21 Jan. 2021
Ethylene glycol was used in the largest quantities, but acrylamide, formaldehyde and naphthalene were also common.
—Vivian R. Underhill, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2023
On Earth, superplasticizers are typically hard-to-pronounce substances like naphthalene and polycarboxylate.
—Daniel Oberhaus, Wired, 22 May 2020
The sample cylinders made with urea and naphthalene could hold the heavy weights and retain a mostly stable shape.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 31 Mar. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Naphthalene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naphthalene. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
naphthalene
noun
naph·tha·lene
ˈnaf-thə-ˌlēn
ˈnap-
: a hydrocarbon in the form of crystals usually obtained from coal tar and used in chemical manufacture and as a moth repellent
Medical Definition
naphthalene
noun
naph·tha·lene
-ˌlēn
: a crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon C10H8 usually obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially in organic synthesis and formerly as a topical and intestinal antiseptic
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