: a fragrant liquid unsaturated hydrocarbon C8H8 used chiefly in making synthetic rubber, resins, and plastics and in improving drying oils
also
: any of various synthetic plastics made from styrene by polymerization or copolymerization
Examples of styrene in a Sentence
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Chemical compounds like styrene and 1,3 butadiene are major components of the crumb rubber that is a prime constituent of synthetic turf.
—
Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025
In 1978, a garbage truck heading to the landfill overturned on Bond Road, dumping 5 tons of styrene, a 1987 Ohio EPA memo said.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The scientists then processed those styrenes and the reclaimed carbon black particles, turning them back into solid polystyrene.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 25 Nov. 2024
In a separate part of the study in February, researchers found elevated levels of benzene and styrene in the air even after the smoke appeared to have dissipated.
—Maggie Astor, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
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Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025
In 1978, a garbage truck heading to the landfill overturned on Bond Road, dumping 5 tons of styrene, a 1987 Ohio EPA memo said.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The scientists then processed those styrenes and the reclaimed carbon black particles, turning them back into solid polystyrene.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 25 Nov. 2024
In a separate part of the study in February, researchers found elevated levels of benzene and styrene in the air even after the smoke appeared to have dissipated.
—Maggie Astor, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for styrene
Cite this Entry
“Styrene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/styrene. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
styrene
noun
sty·rene
ˈstī-ˌrēn 
: a fragrant liquid unsaturated hydrocarbon C8H8 used chiefly in making synthetic rubber, resins, and plastics and in improving drying oils
also
: any of various synthetic plastics made from styrene by polymerization or copolymerization
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