carbon dioxide

noun

: a heavy colorless gas CO₂ that does not support combustion, dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, is formed especially in animal respiration and in the decay or combustion of animal and vegetable matter, is absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis, and is used in the carbonation of beverages

Examples of carbon dioxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Engineers also reconfigured the inflatable bladder to maintain the original air volume while eliminating chest layers and moved the carbon dioxide valves to the back. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

Scientists at Yale University have developed a system that combines plasma and electricity to transform carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable chemicals, including methanol and butane. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026

To deliver enough for even a small building, a functional brewery would need to be constructed – without emitting a bunch of carbon dioxide or risking your microbes. — Mike McRae 16, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide has been used to produce methane before, in applications on Earth. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for carbon dioxide

• acetamide
• acetonide
• acidified
• antimonide
• beatified
• benzaldehyde
• borohydride
• chalcogenide
• commodified
• decalcified
• declassified
• disaccharide

Kids Definition

carbon dioxide

noun

: a heavy colorless gas CO₂ that is formed especially by the burning and breaking down of organic substances (as in animal respiration), is absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis, and has many industrial uses

Medical Definition

carbon dioxide

noun

: a heavy colorless gas CO₂ that does not support combustion, dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, is formed especially in animal respiration and in the decay or combustion of animal and vegetable matter, is absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis, and is used in the carbonation of beverages