a colorless, liquid, flammable, poisonous hydrocarbon, CHCH, obtained originally from balsam of Tolu but now generally from coal tar or petroleum, and used in making dyes, explosives, etc. and as a solvent
See toluene in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(tŏlˈyo͞o-ēnˌ) also tol·u·ol(-ôlˌ, -ōlˌ, -ŏlˌ)
noun
A colorless flammable liquid, CH3C6H5, obtained from coal tar or petroleum and used in aviation fuel and other high-octane fuels, in dyestuffs, explosives, and as a solvent for gums and lacquers. Also called methylbenzene.