Phenol
Full definition of phenol
Noun
phenol
(countable and uncountable; plural phenols)- (organic compound, uncountable) A caustic, poisonous, white crystalline compound, C6H5OH, derived from benzene and used in resins, plastics, and pharmaceuticals and in dilute form as a disinfectant and antiseptic; once called carbolic acid.
- (organic chemistry, countable) Any of a class of aromatic organic compounds having at least one hydroxyl group attached directly to the benzene ring.
Synonyms
- (caustic compound derived from benzene) carbolic acid
- benzenol
- hydroxybenzene