a white, crystalline organic acid, CHCOOH, produced commercially from toluene and used as an antiseptic and preservative and in the making of perfumes, flavorings, etc.
See benzoic acid in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(bĕn-zōˈĭk)
noun
An aromatic white crystalline acid, C7H6O2, used as a food preservative and in dentifrices, germicides, and the manufacturing and processing of dyes.