xylene

American  

[zahy-leen] / ˈzaɪ lin /

Also xylol

noun

Chemistry.

1. any of three oily, colorless, water-insoluble, flammable, toxic, isomeric liquids, C 8 H 10 , of the benzene series, obtained mostly from coal tar: used chiefly in the manufacture of dyes.

---

xylene British  

/ ˈzaɪliːn /

noun

1. Also called: xylol.  an aromatic hydrocarbon existing in three isomeric forms, all three being colourless flammable volatile liquids used as solvents and in the manufacture of synthetic resins, dyes, and insecticides; dimethylbenzene. Formula: C 6 H 4 (CH 3 ) 2

---

xylene Scientific  

/ zī-lēn′,zī′lēn′ /

1. A flammable hydrocarbon obtained from wood and coal tar. Xylene consists of a benzene ring with two methyl (CH ₃) groups attached, and occurs in three isomeric forms. It is used as a solvent, in jet fuel, and in the manufacture of dyes, fibers, perfumes, and films. Chemical formula: C ₈ H ₁₀ .

2. A mixture of xylene isomers used as a solvent in making lacquers and rubber cement and as an aviation fuel.

---

Etymology

Origin of xylene

1850–55; < Greek xýl ( on ) wood + -ene

Example Sentences

Wells, storage tanks and other equipment release a mix of particularly hazardous petroleum-based gases known as BTEX, for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2023

The agency noted Tesla’s use of toxic chemicals in its paint shop — formaldehyde, ethylbenzene, naphthalene, and xylene, “known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious side effects.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2022

Toluene and xylene are important solvents and raw materials in the chemical industry.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Four markers were sent to the laboratory, and two dry-erase ones tested positive for a group of compounds often found in petroleum products and known as B.T.E.X.: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2018

It is one of the three metamers of xylene.

From The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary Section P and Q by Project Gutenberg