Imidazole is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as a building block for synthesizing drugs, particularly antifungal agents like ketoconazole and miconazole. It is also a key component in the development of histamine-related medications and proton pump inhibitors used to treat gastric acid disorders.

In biochemical research, imidazole is employed in protein purification, especially in immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), where it helps elute His-tagged proteins from nickel or cobalt resins.

It serves as a corrosion inhibitor in industrial cooling systems and is used in the formulation of epoxy curing agents, enhancing the stability and performance of adhesives and coatings.

Imidazole derivatives are also found in agrochemicals, contributing to the creation of fungicides and plant growth regulators. Additionally, it acts as a buffer in biological systems due to its effective pH range near physiological conditions.