aldehyde
noun
al·de·hyde
ˈal-də-ˌhīd 
: acetaldehyde
broadly
: any of a class of highly reactive organic compounds that are analogous to acetaldehyde and characterized by a carbonyl group attached to a hydrogen atom
Examples of aldehyde in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Specifically, the study found the PATM patients emitted more petrochemicals, organosulfur compounds, and some aldehydes (including 39 times the normal amount of toluene, a chemical found in crude oil), among other distinctions—findings published in the scholarly journal Scientific Reports in 2023.
—
Caroline Tien, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
On Earth, glycine forms when hydrogen cyanide, ammonia and organic compounds called aldehydes react with each other in warm water.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Amélie Huynh, fragrance developer and CEO of D’Orsay, adds that aldehydes, which have a soapy, sparkling quality, are also present in many skin scents, in addition to creamy, low-profile vanilla and orange blossom notes.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
Frying seafood leads to the formation of harmful compounds, such as heterocyclic amines (HCAs), acrolein, and aldehydes, which may increase the risk of certain health conditions, like cancer.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aldehyde
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.
Caroline Tien, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
On Earth, glycine forms when hydrogen cyanide, ammonia and organic compounds called aldehydes react with each other in warm water.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Amélie Huynh, fragrance developer and CEO of D’Orsay, adds that aldehydes, which have a soapy, sparkling quality, are also present in many skin scents, in addition to creamy, low-profile vanilla and orange blossom notes.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
Frying seafood leads to the formation of harmful compounds, such as heterocyclic amines (HCAs), acrolein, and aldehydes, which may increase the risk of certain health conditions, like cancer.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aldehyde
Cite this Entry
“Aldehyde.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aldehyde. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
aldehyde
noun
al·de·hyde
ˈal-də-ˌhīd
: acetaldehyde
broadly
: any of various highly reactive compounds typified by acetaldehyde and characterized by the group CHO
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
