off-gas

1 of 2

noun

plural off-gases also off-gasses
: a gas that is produced as a by-product of an industrial process or that is given off by a manufactured object or material
Refinery off-gases from fluid catalytic cracking could be a source of ethylene.Predicasts Technology Update

off-gas

2 of 2

verb

off-gassed; off-gassing

transitive + intransitive

: to give off a typically harmful gas
In addition, OSHA intends to amend the hazard communication provisions of the standard to require hazard warning labels for solid materials capable of off-gassing formaldehyde at levels between 0.1 ppm and 0.5 ppm …Chemical & Engineering News
… there have been environmental concerns about the phenol formaldehyde binders used in most engineered-wood products, which can off-gas.Max Alexander

Examples of off-gas in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Some fabrics, carpets and other textiles can off-gas for months or years, putting the household that chose it – and future buyers of that home – at risk. Jamie Gold, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023 As the cabin overheated, food would begin to spoil, photographic film would be damaged, and materials would begin to break down and off-gas, making the air unbreathable. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2023 Fabrics can also off-gas, which is the occurrence of chemicals used to manufacture the material leaching into the air. Jamie Gold, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023 Do memory foam pillows off-gas? Jack Byram, Health, 12 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'off-gas.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1955, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-gas was in 1955

Dictionary Entries Near off-gas

Cite this Entry

“Off-gas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-gas. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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