Definition of: phenol

(fē′nōl, -nol) noun Chem.
1. Any one of a series of aromatic hydroxyl derivatives of benzene or its homologs.
2. A white crystalline compound, C₆H₅·OH, with a burning taste and characteristic odor, derived from coal-tar oil by distillation and used as a disinfectant: popularly called carbolic acid, formerly phenic acid. Phenol is a powerful caustic poison. [<Gk. phaino- shining (<phainein show) + -OL¹; so called because derived from coal tar, a by-product of illuminating gas]