pentachlorophenol

noun

pen·​ta·​chlo·​ro·​phe·​nol ˌpen-tə-ˌklȯr-ə-ˈfē-ˌnōl  -fi-ˈnōl 

: a crystalline compound C₆Cl₅OH used especially as a wood preservative and fungicide and a disinfectant

Examples of pentachlorophenol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But pentachlorophenol and the copper formulas were lasting 60 years or longer. —Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2020

Creosote and pentachlorophenol were both banned for residential uses in the late 1980s, although they can still be used for railroad ties, utility poles and some farm uses. —Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2020

Near Alexandra, in central Louisiana, two plants that use coal-tar creosote and pentachlorophenol to pressure-treat and preserve wooden objects like rail ties and telephone poles operate directly adjacent to communities. —Justin Nobel, Longreads, 13 July 2017

Pentachlorophenol contains dioxins, which are used in making chemical weapons, like Agent Orange, and can peel away human skin and cause leukemia. —Justin Nobel, Longreads, 13 July 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

pentachlorophenol

noun

pen·​ta·​chlo·​ro·​phe·​nol ˌpent-ə-ˌklōr-ə-ˈfē-ˌnōl  -ˌnȯl- 

-ˌklȯr-,

-fi-ˈ

: a crystalline compound C₆Cl₅OH used especially as a wood preservative, insecticide, and fungicide

called also PCP