polychlorinated biphenyl

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word polychlorinated biphenyl. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word polychlorinated biphenyl, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say polychlorinated biphenyl in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word polychlorinated biphenyl you have here. The definition of the word polychlorinated biphenyl will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofpolychlorinated biphenyl, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌpoʊliˌklɔrəˌneɪtəd ˈbaɪfənɪl/
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌpɒlɪˌklɔːrɪneɪtɪd ˈbaɪfənɪl/

Noun

polychlorinated biphenyl (plural polychlorinated biphenyls)

  1. (organic chemistry) Any of a class of aromatic organic compounds formed by the chlorination of the hydrocarbon biphenyl; they have many industrial applications but are now considered persistent organic pollutants.
    Synonym: PCB
    • 1986, Valerie M. Thom, “Coastal habitats”, in Birds in Scotland, London: T & AD Poyser, published 2011, →ISBN, page 25:
      Another environmental factor thought to be affecting some coastal birds, although comparatively little is yet known about its extent or origin, is the presence of marine pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and toxic heavy metals.
    • 2010, BioWare, Mass Effect 2 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Nepyma:
      The microbes devoured the chlorides in the earth; as metabolic byproducts, they produced toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). By the time the infestation was contained an area of nearly 30 square kilometers had been effectively turned into a toxic waste dump.

Coordinate terms

Translations

Further reading

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia