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

Some chemicals produced by e-cigarettes include formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which are known to cause both lung and heart disease. —Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Ethanol or acetaldehyde sensitivity In people with alcohol intolerance, the body lacks the enzyme ALDH2 needed to break down acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism. —Lauryn Higgins, Time, 22 July 2025

Once in the body, alcohol breaks down into acetaldehyde — a carcinogen also found in tobacco smoke. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 22 May 2025

When alcohol breaks down, its first byproduct is acetaldehyde, a chemical that is itself classified as a carcinogen. —Pranoti Mandrekar, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025

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