toluene
noun
tol·u·ene ˈtäl-yə-ˌwēn 
: a liquid aromatic hydrocarbon C7H8 that resembles benzene but is less volatile, flammable, and toxic and is used especially as a solvent, in organic synthesis, and as an antiknock agent for gasoline
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web For instance, product packaging could contain toluene, while plastics might emit benzene. 
Chris Baraniuk, Wired, 16 July 2022 Arts and Theater Safety Newsletter called for the banning of Barge with toluene in 2003 — but the product is still dominant in puppetry. Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2022 According to a 2018 study published in the journal Environmental Study & Technology, nail polish brands started to label their products as 3-free in the 2000s to exclude toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate. Jenifer Calle, SELF, 4 Mar. 2022 In addition, methane leaks often contain other toxic pollutants, carcinogens, and poisonous gases like toluene, benzene, and hydrogen sulfide. Energy Innovation: Policy And Technology, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2021 In Torrance, for nearly 30 years beginning during the war, unlined pits and ponds were filled with waste from synthetic rubber-making and other industries, spoiling the groundwater with benzene and toluene. Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2021 The US Environmental Protection Agency recognizes paints and varnishes as sources of common hazardous air pollutants, such as toluene and methylene chloride. CNN, 3 June 2021 Texas and Louisiana house the plants that produce toluene diisocyanate (TDI), one of two main chemicals used to make furniture foam. Cameron Fields, cleveland, 12 Apr. 2021 The top three toxins to avoid are Dibutyl phthalate (DnBP), toluene, and formaldehyde, according to Non-Toxic Revolution. Jennifer Aldrich, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2021 See More
Chris Baraniuk, Wired, 16 July 2022 Arts and Theater Safety Newsletter called for the banning of Barge with toluene in 2003 — but the product is still dominant in puppetry. Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2022 According to a 2018 study published in the journal Environmental Study & Technology, nail polish brands started to label their products as 3-free in the 2000s to exclude toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate. Jenifer Calle, SELF, 4 Mar. 2022 In addition, methane leaks often contain other toxic pollutants, carcinogens, and poisonous gases like toluene, benzene, and hydrogen sulfide. Energy Innovation: Policy And Technology, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2021 In Torrance, for nearly 30 years beginning during the war, unlined pits and ponds were filled with waste from synthetic rubber-making and other industries, spoiling the groundwater with benzene and toluene. Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2021 The US Environmental Protection Agency recognizes paints and varnishes as sources of common hazardous air pollutants, such as toluene and methylene chloride. CNN, 3 June 2021 Texas and Louisiana house the plants that produce toluene diisocyanate (TDI), one of two main chemicals used to make furniture foam. Cameron Fields, cleveland, 12 Apr. 2021 The top three toxins to avoid are Dibutyl phthalate (DnBP), toluene, and formaldehyde, according to Non-Toxic Revolution. Jennifer Aldrich, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
French toluène, from tolu balsam from the tropical American tree Myroxylon balsamum, from Spanish tolú, from Santiago de Tolú, Colombia
First Known Use
1855, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
toluene
noun
tol·u·ene ˈtäl-yə-ˌwēn
: a liquid aromatic hydrocarbon C7H8 that resembles benzene but is less volatile, flammable, and toxic and is used as a solvent, in organic synthesis, and as an antiknock agent for gasoline
called also methylbenzene