safrole

noun

saf·​role ˈsaf-ˌrōl 

: a poisonous oily cyclic ether C₁₀H₁₀O₂ that is the principal component of sassafras oil and is used chiefly in perfumery

Examples of safrole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Following these findings, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of sassafras oil and safrole as food additives in 1960 and later prohibited the interstate shipment of sassafras bark for tea, effectively removing the plant from commercial products. —Kari Traylor, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from sassafras + -ole

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

safrole

noun

saf·​role ˈsaf-ˌrōl 

variants also safrol

-ˌrōl  -ˌrȯl 

: a poisonous oily cyclic carcinogenic ether C₁₀H₁₀O₂ that is the principal component of sassafras oil and occurs also in other essential oils (as camphor oil) and that is used chiefly in perfumery