naphthalene
noun
naph·tha·lene ˈnaf-thə-ˌlēn 
nonstandard ˈnap-
: a crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon C10H8 usually obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially in organic synthesis
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web On Earth, superplasticizers are typically hard-to-pronounce substances like naphthalene and polycarboxylate. 
Daniel Oberhaus, Wired, 22 May 2020 The sample cylinders made with urea and naphthalene could hold the heavy weights and retain a mostly stable shape. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 31 Mar. 2020 Other common plasticizers, like naphthalene and polycarboxylate, were also mixed with regolith and printed in the same way for comparison. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 31 Mar. 2020 The upwind samples registered lower than the downwind side, but both sides showed elevated levels of benzene and naphthalene. Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 24 Jan. 2020 These chemicals—such as benzene, toluene, naphthalene, anthracene, and phenol—form the basis for perfumes, explosives, and medicines. Akshat Rathi, Quartz, 23 Oct. 2019 Additional testing found detectable levels of propanol, acetone, dichlorodifluoromethane, chloromethane, naphthalene in the air as well. Cameron Knight, Cincinnati.com, 12 Dec. 2018 Your grandma's favorite method is on the outs now that many experts consider the chemicals — naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene — a health risk. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 13 Mar. 2019 California already considers the pesticides known carcinogens, and the European Union has banned naphthalene. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 13 Mar. 2019 See More
Daniel Oberhaus, Wired, 22 May 2020 The sample cylinders made with urea and naphthalene could hold the heavy weights and retain a mostly stable shape. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 31 Mar. 2020 Other common plasticizers, like naphthalene and polycarboxylate, were also mixed with regolith and printed in the same way for comparison. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 31 Mar. 2020 The upwind samples registered lower than the downwind side, but both sides showed elevated levels of benzene and naphthalene. Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 24 Jan. 2020 These chemicals—such as benzene, toluene, naphthalene, anthracene, and phenol—form the basis for perfumes, explosives, and medicines. Akshat Rathi, Quartz, 23 Oct. 2019 Additional testing found detectable levels of propanol, acetone, dichlorodifluoromethane, chloromethane, naphthalene in the air as well. Cameron Knight, Cincinnati.com, 12 Dec. 2018 Your grandma's favorite method is on the outs now that many experts consider the chemicals — naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene — a health risk. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 13 Mar. 2019 California already considers the pesticides known carcinogens, and the European Union has banned naphthalene. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 13 Mar. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
alteration of earlier naphthaline, irregular from naphtha
First Known Use
1821, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
naphthalene
noun
naph·tha·lene -ˌlēn
: a crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon C10H8 usually obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially in organic synthesis and formerly as a topical and intestinal antiseptic