acetaldehyde

noun

ac·​et·​al·​de·​hyde ˌa-sə-ˈtal-də-ˌhīd 

: a colorless volatile water-soluble liquid aldehyde C₂H₄O used chiefly in organic synthesis

Examples of acetaldehyde in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Enlarge / Red wine headache (RWH) might be caused by quercetin, which inhibits an enzyme that processes acetaldehyde in the blood. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Nov. 2023

Avoid Tobacco Smoking can increase levels of acetaldehyde in your body (which also may raise your cancer risk). —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 25 Nov. 2023

Disulfiram also makes acetaldehyde from drinking alcohol build up when an enzyme in the body would usually break it down. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Nov. 2023

In the second step, the acetaldehyde becomes acetic acid. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Acetaldehyd, from acet- acet- + Aldehyd aldehyde

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

acetaldehyde

noun

ac·​et·​al·​de·​hyde ˌas-ə-ˈtal-də-ˌhīd 

: a colorless volatile water-soluble liquid aldehyde C₂H₄O used chiefly in organic synthesis that can cause irritation to mucous membranes