acetylene
noun
acet·y·lene
ə-ˈse-tᵊl-ən 
-tᵊl-ˌēn
: a colorless gaseous hydrocarbon HC≡CH used chiefly in organic synthesis and as a fuel (as in welding and soldering)
Examples of acetylene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Other add-ons that can be seen on bikes in the museum’s collection include acetylene gas headlamps, map cases, tool-carrying attachments and, for ladies’ bicycles, a skirt guard so the fabric would not become tangled in the wheel spokes.
—
Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
The gang makes it out of that situation more or less fine, but surprise — acetylene has been leaking out accidentally the entire time.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
This time, instead of a bomb, the mother (guest star Piper Perabo) of a child patient who had gone unresponsive after brain surgery brings a highly flammable acetylene tank into the operating room and forces Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) to perform a high-risk surgery to save her daughter.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025
Welding or operating acetylene or other open-flame torch devices.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for acetylene
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Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
The gang makes it out of that situation more or less fine, but surprise — acetylene has been leaking out accidentally the entire time.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
This time, instead of a bomb, the mother (guest star Piper Perabo) of a child patient who had gone unresponsive after brain surgery brings a highly flammable acetylene tank into the operating room and forces Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) to perform a high-risk surgery to save her daughter.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025
Welding or operating acetylene or other open-flame torch devices.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for acetylene
Cite this Entry
“Acetylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetylene. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
acetylene
noun
acet·y·lene
ə-ˈset-ᵊl-ən
-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
-ᵊl-ˌēn
-ᵊl-ˌēn
: 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
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