nonoxynol-9

noun

: a spermicide used in contraceptive products

Word History

Etymology

nonyl (the radical C9H19) + oxy- + phenol + 9 (from the fact that the compounds it contains have an average of nine ethylene oxide groups per molecule)

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonoxynol-9 was in 1967

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonoxynol-9.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonoxynol-9. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

: a spermicide used in contraceptive products that consists of a mixture of compounds having the general formula C15H23(OCH2CH2)nOH with an average of nine ethylene oxide groups per molecule
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