acetylene

noun

acet·y·lene | \ə-ˈse-tᵊl-ən,

-tᵊl-ˌēn\

Definition of acetylene

: a colorless gaseous hydrocarbon HC≡CH used chiefly in organic synthesis and as a fuel (as in welding and soldering)

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According to Lexington Battalion Chief Jason Wells, the incident occurred as a result of a truck and a trailer with an acetylene tank exploding in the building. — Erin Corbett, Fortune, "Officials Investigate Explosion at Kentucky UPS Freight Hub," 30 May 2018 Investigators determined that the fire in a basement at 113 W. Main St. during construction was sparked by an acetylene cutting torch that ignited material nearby. — Grace Schneider, The Courier-Journal, "Whiskey Row owners sue contractor and insurer over refusal to pay $2.5M in fire damages," 19 Feb. 2018 Although some gases, such as acetylene and ethylene, have been spotted on Titan, Malaska said the conditions aren't right for that process to form the labyrinths. — Nola Taylor Redd, Fox News, "Mysterious mazes streak Saturn's moon Titan," 13 June 2017 Scott Prather, the oldest and most experienced of the three men, used an acetylene torch to cut the first bell's yolk from the frame. — Lynn Ischay, cleveland.com, "Bells removed from Zion's tower in Tremont -- a suite will fill the belfry (photos)," 27 May 2017 The gas canisters spread across the roadway contained oxygen, argon and acetylene, Jachles said. — Tonya Alanez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Turnpike reopens after truck flips, spills gas canisters," 4 May 2017 Astronauts on a mission to Mars will need robotic helpers, but the proposition of packing them in bulk quantities or bringing bulky manufacturing rigs and explosive gases for acetylene torches to manufacture them on site isn’t feasible. — Joseph Flaherty, WIRED, "The Deep Design Thinking Behind MIT’s Incredible Origami Robot," 12 Aug. 2014 With acetylene explosions, underwater tubes, and glow-in-the-dark wallpaper, the work put in on the course seems considerable. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Who Will Win This Epic Hot Wheels Race Between TV and Movie Cars?," 27 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acetylene.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of acetylene was in 1851

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More Definitions for acetylene

acetylene

noun

English Language Learners Definition of acetylene

: a gas that burns with a very hot flame which is used to melt and connect pieces of metal

See the full definition for acetylene in the English Language Learners Dictionary

acetylene

noun

acet·y·lene | \ə-ˈset-ᵊl-ən,

-ᵊl-ˌēn

Medical Definition of acetylene

: a colorless gaseous hydrocarbon HC≡CH made especially by the action of water on calcium carbide and used chiefly in organic synthesis and as a fuel (as in welding and soldering)

— called also ethyne