acetylene

noun

acet·​y·​lene ə-ˈse-tᵊl-ən How to pronounce acetylene (audio)
-tᵊl-ˌēn
: a colorless gaseous hydrocarbon HC≡CH used chiefly in organic synthesis and as a fuel (as in welding and soldering)
acetylenic adjective

Examples of acetylene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Welding or operating acetylene or other open-flame torch devices. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2024 With instructions from his mentor in the MPS maintenance department’s welding shop, Young lights an acetylene torch. La Risa R. Lynch, Journal Sentinel, 3 May 2024 Last year an inspection at the Legislative Office Building at 1020 N St. found hazardous materials such as acetylene had been moved there without a permit. Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 4 Apr. 2024 And at the time, the Model T had acetylene lamps in the front. Quartz Staff, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for acetylene 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French acétylène, from acétyle acetyl + -ène -ene

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acetylene was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near acetylene

Cite this Entry

“Acetylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetylene. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

acetylene

noun
acet·​y·​lene ə-ˈset-ᵊl-ən How to pronounce acetylene (audio)
-ᵊl-ˌēn
: a compound of carbon and hydrogen that is a colorless gas used chiefly in welding and soldering and in making chemical compounds

Medical Definition

acetylene

noun
acet·​y·​lene ə-ˈset-ᵊl-ən How to pronounce acetylene (audio) -ᵊl-ˌēn How to pronounce acetylene (audio)
: 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

acetylenic adjective

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