1. a solution of formaldehyde in water, used as a disinfectant and preservative
Usage: technical; chemistry

Examples

• The laboratory specimens were preserved in formol.
• Formol is commonly used to disinfect medical equipment.
• The pathologist stored the tissue samples in formol solution.
• Formol contains approximately 37% formaldehyde by weight.
• The museum used formol to preserve the biological specimens.