toluene Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a colorless flammable liquid obtained from petroleum or coal tar; used as a solvent for gums and lacquers and in high-octane fuels
    methylbenzene.

WordNet

Tol"u*ene noun
Etymology
Tolu + benzene.
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) A hydrocarbon, C6H5.CH3, of the aromatic series, homologous with benzene, and obtained as a light mobile colorless liquid, by distilling tolu balsam, coal tar, etc.; -- called also methyl benzene, phenyl methane, etc.

Webster 1913