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

The hub is being developed to support commercial-scale carbon dioxide storage in the state. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026

The ability of photoacids — essentially dyes — to absorb and eject carbon dioxide was revealed in 2013 research from the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, known as CSIRO. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026

From July 2023 to May 2024, Nike used sustainable biofuel for 36 percent of its volume with CMA CGM, cutting carbon dioxide by 25,000 tons. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026

Nevitt points to an estimate by the car company Edmonds that some gas leaf blowers generate 23 times the carbon dioxide of a Ford F150 Raptor truck and 300 times more non-methane hydrocarbons. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 5 Nov. 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