phenol

[fee-nawl, -nol] /ˈfi nɔl, -nɒl/
noun, Chemistry
1.
Also called carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene, oxybenzene, phenylic acid. a white, crystalline, water-soluble, poisonous mass, C 6 H 5 OH, obtained from coal tar, or a hydroxyl derivative of benzene: used chiefly as a disinfectant, as an antiseptic, and in organic synthesis.
2.
any analogous hydroxyl derivative of benzene.
Origin
1850-55; phen- + -ol1
Related forms
phenolic
[fi-noh-lik, -nol-ik] /fɪˈnoʊ lɪk, -ˈnɒl ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
nonphenolic, adjective
Examples from the web for phenol
  • phenolics are resins based on phenol, or carbolic acid, and formaldehyde.
British Dictionary definitions for phenol

phenol

/ˈfiːnɒl/
noun
1.
Also called carbolic acid. a white crystalline soluble poisonous acidic derivative of benzene, used as an antiseptic and disinfectant and in the manufacture of resins, nylon, dyes, explosives, and pharmaceuticals; hydroxybenzene. Formula: C6H5OH
2.
(chem) any of a class of weakly acidic organic compounds whose molecules contain one or more hydroxyl groups bound directly to a carbon atom in an aromatic ring
Word Origin and History for phenol
n.

"carbolic acid," 1844, from pheno- + -ol. Discovered in coal tar in 1834; used as an antiseptic from 1867. Related: Phenolic.

phenol in Medicine

phenol phe·nol (fē'nôl', -nōl')
n.

  1. A caustic, poisonous, white crystalline compound derived from benzene and used in pharmaceuticals and in dilute form as an antiseptic. Also called carbolic acid, phenic acid.

  2. Any of a class of aromatic organic compounds having at least one hydroxyl group attached directly to the benzene ring.

phenol in Science
phenol
  (fē'nôl', -nōl')   

  1. Any of a class of organic compounds that contain a hydroxyl group (OH) attached to a carbon atom that is part of an aromatic ring. Phenols are similar to alcohols but are more soluble in water, and occur as colorless solids or liquids at room temperature. Some phenols occur naturally in the essential oils of plants. Phenols are used in industry to make plastics and detergents.

  2. The simplest phenol, consisting of a benzene ring attached to a hydroxyl group (OH). It is a poisonous, white, crystalline compound and is used to make plastics and drugs. Also called carbolic acid. Chemical formula: C6H6O.