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. chemistry
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
phenol in American English
(ˈfiˌnoʊl; ˈfiˌnɔl; ˈfiˌnɑl)
noun
1.
a white crystalline compound, C6H5OH, produced from coal tar or by the hydrolysis of chlorobenzene, and used in making explosives, synthetic resins, etc.: it is a strong, corrosive poison with a characteristic odor, and its dilute aqueous solution, commonly called carbolic acid, is used as an antiseptic, disinfectant, etc.
2.
any of a group of aromatic hydroxyl derivatives of benzene, similar in structureand composition to phenol