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Definition of "phosgene" [phos•gene]

  • A colorless volatile liquid or gas, COCl2, used as a poison gas and in making glass, dyes, resins, and plastics. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "phosgene" in a sentence
  • "For example, a chemical known as phosgene, used as a nerve gas during World War I, has long been used to make bisphenol A, the chemical building block of polycarbonate plastics."
  • "This was a nerve gas known as phosgene and it is lethal."
  • "And it seems that the high likelihood is that the two things are, indeed, a canister -- a small thing about the size of a soda can of phosgene, which is a chemical warfare agent."