any of a class of artificial dyes that contain the azo group. They are usually red, brown, or yellow and are obtained from aromatic amines
azo dye in American English
noun
Chemistry
any of a large class of dyes containing one or more azo groups
Word origin
[1880–85]This word is first recorded in the period 1880–85. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Chief of Staff, highball, impressionism, irredentist, pari-mutuel
Examples of 'azo dye' in a sentence
azo dye
The cotton is grown in organic, fair-trade conditions, then dyed using non-azo dyes.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He urged them to follow the example of sweets manufacturers, who use natural colourings such as beetroot and beta-carotene instead of azo dyes.