nonoxynol-9

noun

no·​nox·​y·​nol-9 nä-ˈnäk-si-ˌnȯl-ˈnīn How to pronounce nonoxynol-9 (audio)
nə-,
-ˌnōl-
: 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

nonoxidizing
nonoxynol-9
nonpaid
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Cite this Entry

“Nonoxynol-9.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonoxynol-9. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

nonoxynol-9

noun
no·​nox·​y·​nol-9 nä-ˈnäk-sə-ˌnōl-ˈnīn How to pronounce nonoxynol-9 (audio) -ˌnȯl- How to pronounce nonoxynol-9 (audio)
: 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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