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

That’s even more likely to occur with smoking cigarettes, a major source of acetaldehyde. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Here the impact of acetaldehyde becomes messier than the supplement ads let on. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026

From perfumes and synthetic flavorings to plastics and resins, acetaldehyde is a chemical used to make countless everyday products. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026

The heat of a home dryer can vaporize some compounds, producing small amounts of acetaldehyde and benzene, compounds also deemed to be carcinogens, increasing the risk of blood cancers. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for acetaldehyde

• acetanilide
• arabinoside
• cycloheximide
• cyclophosphamide
• diethylamide
• dinucleotide
• ferricyanide
• ferrocyanide
• glutaraldehyde
• glyceraldehyde
• hydroperoxide
• interstratified

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