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
Mitigating climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and transitioning to clean energy is crucial, according to Elipot, along with ongoing observation and research to better predict and prepare for potential impacts.
—
Doyle Rice, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The Clean Power Plan would have required states and energy companies to shift electricity production from higher-emitting to lower-emitting production methods to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
—Wayne Unger, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
Last month, the UK government temporarily restarted a mothballed bioethanol plant to shore up supplies of carbon dioxide, which is critical to healthcare and the production of some foodstuffs.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Trees and plants sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, filter pollutants from the air and reduce urban temperatures through shade, according to The Nature Conservancy.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for carbon dioxide
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Doyle Rice, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The Clean Power Plan would have required states and energy companies to shift electricity production from higher-emitting to lower-emitting production methods to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
—Wayne Unger, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
Last month, the UK government temporarily restarted a mothballed bioethanol plant to shore up supplies of carbon dioxide, which is critical to healthcare and the production of some foodstuffs.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Trees and plants sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, filter pollutants from the air and reduce urban temperatures through shade, according to The Nature Conservancy.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for carbon dioxide
Cite this Entry
“Carbon dioxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20dioxide. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
