benzene

1. (organic chemistry) An aromatic hydrocarbon of formula C₆H₆ whose structure consists of a ring of alternate single and double bonds.Examples: "Furthermore, this increase in risk is comparable to the risk of death from leukemia after long-term exposure to benzene, another solvent, which has the well-known property of causing this type of cancer."; "The recall notice, published earlier this week, noted that the affected products likely will not expose people to levels of benzene high enough to cause health issues."uncountableusually

2. (organic chemistry, in combination) Sometimes used in place of the phenyl group.in-compoundsuncountableusually