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

Researchers also examined studies finding that vaping aerosols contain potentially carcinogenic compounds, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and heavy metals such as nickel, chromium and lead that may come from heating elements within devices. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 28 May 2026

It’s typically not sold in the summer, however, because burning ethanol releases volatile organic gases that react with sunlight and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere to produce acetaldehyde, a major component of ground-level ozone. —Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 22 May 2026

This process results in toxic compounds, such as acetaldehyde, that can cause liver inflammation. —Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 10 Mar. 2026

The fire took place days before the Food and Drug Administration released a warning that some Virgin Scent hand sanitizers contained unacceptable levels of benzene, acetal and acetaldehyde, each of which are hazardous and potentially carcinogenic. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 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