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propylene glycol
noun
: a sweet hygroscopic viscous liquid C3H8O2 made especially from propylene and used especially as an antifreeze and solvent, in brake fluids, and as a food preservative
Examples of propylene glycol in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An allergic reaction to propylene glycol can cause a skin rash, itching and blistering.
—John Swierk, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2024
This product contains 100% pure tea oil and is free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, or mineral oil.
—Sherri Gordon, Verywell Health, 16 Feb. 2024
Look for an organic hemp extract that is third-party tested and contains no additives or fillers like propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and other synthetic chemicals.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2022
To add hydration to the nail, instead of weakening it, look for silicon, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and propylene glycol.
—Kayla Hui, Mph, Verywell Health, 15 Sep. 2023
For example, the liquid included in Cloudy’s diffuser contains melatonin, lavender extract, chamomile extract, grape extract, L-Theanine (said to help ease anxiety, stress and insomnia), propylene glycol (a thickening agent), and vegetable glycerin (a syrupy liquid).
—Lydia Rivers, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2021
Ingredients include a proprietary antioxidant blend of lavender oil, strawberry fruit extract and honeysuckle flower extract, and active ingredients include propylene glycol, glycerin and urea peroxide.
—Natalie Alcala, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 July 2023
Those with Black skin should avoid mechanical exfoliants (i.e., grainy scrubs), irritating skin-care ingredients (such as alcohol, propylene glycol, and lanolin), Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments, and ablative lasers — all of which can cause light and dark spots.
—Julie Ricevuto, Allure, 22 Oct. 2020
Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are industrial versions of the glycerine found in propylene glycol, which is a necessary ingredient in making cough syrup.
—Diego Lasarte, Quartz, 10 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'propylene glycol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1870, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near propylene glycol
Cite this Entry
“Propylene glycol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propylene%20glycol. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Medical Definition
propylene glycol
noun
: a sweet hygroscopic viscous liquid C3H8O2 made especially from propylene and used especially as an antifreeze and solvent, in brake fluids, and as a food preservative
More from Merriam-Webster on propylene glycol
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about propylene glycol
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