styrene
noun
sty·rene ˈstī-ˌrēn 
: a fragrant liquid unsaturated hydrocarbon C8H8 used chiefly in making synthetic rubber, resins, and plastics and in improving drying oils
also : any of various synthetic plastics made from styrene by polymerization or copolymerization
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web When styrene is in transit, a stabilizing chemical is added to it to keep it safe, Cordova said. 
Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2022 Officials said the train car was leaking a chemical called styrene, which is used to make plastic products. Orlando Mayorquin, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2022 Because styrene has been linked to cancer, microwaving Styrofoam can be unsafe. Caitlin Mclean, USA TODAY, 7 July 2022 The database will shed light on 68% of CO2 emissions for ethylene, propylene, styrene and more, helping overcome the reporting challenges facing the chemical sector. Jeremy Pafford, Forbes, 30 June 2022 The main blaze at the Ming Dih Chemical factory had been brought under control by mid-morning, but an enormous tank containing the chemical styrene monomer continued to burn, said local disaster prevention official Chailit Suwannakitpong. David Rising, Star Tribune, 5 July 2021 Firefighters continued to douse the site with water and foam to keep the highly flammable chemical styrene monomer from reigniting, but flames broke out again and burned for about an hour Tuesday afternoon. David Rising, Star Tribune, 6 July 2021 Despite efforts by firefighters to keep the highly flammable chemical styrene monomer from reigniting by continuing to douse the site with water and foam, flames broke out again and burned for about an hour Tuesday afternoon. David Rising, Star Tribune, 6 July 2021 Last year in the Indian city of Visakhapatnam, a leak of styrene gas from a chemical factory killed 12 people and sickened more than 1,000. David Rising, Star Tribune, 6 July 2021 See More
Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2022 Officials said the train car was leaking a chemical called styrene, which is used to make plastic products. Orlando Mayorquin, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2022 Because styrene has been linked to cancer, microwaving Styrofoam can be unsafe. Caitlin Mclean, USA TODAY, 7 July 2022 The database will shed light on 68% of CO2 emissions for ethylene, propylene, styrene and more, helping overcome the reporting challenges facing the chemical sector. Jeremy Pafford, Forbes, 30 June 2022 The main blaze at the Ming Dih Chemical factory had been brought under control by mid-morning, but an enormous tank containing the chemical styrene monomer continued to burn, said local disaster prevention official Chailit Suwannakitpong. David Rising, Star Tribune, 5 July 2021 Firefighters continued to douse the site with water and foam to keep the highly flammable chemical styrene monomer from reigniting, but flames broke out again and burned for about an hour Tuesday afternoon. David Rising, Star Tribune, 6 July 2021 Despite efforts by firefighters to keep the highly flammable chemical styrene monomer from reigniting by continuing to douse the site with water and foam, flames broke out again and burned for about an hour Tuesday afternoon. David Rising, Star Tribune, 6 July 2021 Last year in the Indian city of Visakhapatnam, a leak of styrene gas from a chemical factory killed 12 people and sickened more than 1,000. David Rising, Star Tribune, 6 July 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin styrax
First Known Use
1885, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing styrene
Medical Definition
styrene
noun
sty·rene ˈstī-ˌrēn
: a fragrant liquid unsaturated hydrocarbon C8H8 used chiefly in making synthetic rubber, resins, and plastics and in improving drying oils
also : any of various synthetic plastics made from styrene by polymerization or copolymerization