catechol

noun

cat·​e·​chol ˈka-tə-ˌkȯl How to pronounce catechol (audio)
-ˌkōl
1
2
: a crystalline phenol C6H6O2 obtained from various natural sources but usually made synthetically and used especially in organic synthesis

Examples of catechol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To strengthen their glue, mussels use two chemical groups, called catechols and thiols, which cross-link like the hooks and loops of Velcro. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2025 To prevent this, Valentine and her colleagues temporarily covered the catechols with capping groups. Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, 26 Oct. 2017 Dopamine’s role in all these conditions brought Hall to the enzyme COMT, or catechol-O-methyltransferase. Erik Vance, Discover Magazine, 19 July 2014

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of catechol was in 1880

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Cite this Entry

“Catechol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catechol. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

catechol

noun
cat·​e·​chol ˈkat-ə-ˌkȯl, -ˌkōl How to pronounce catechol (audio)

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