Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

carbene

noun
car·​bene | \ ˈkärˌbēn\
plural -s

Definition of carbene

1 : one of the components of bitumen soluble in carbon disulfide but insoluble in carbon tetrachloride —usually used in plural — compare asphaltene
2 : any of a class of usually highly reactive chemical compounds containing an uncharged divalent carbon atom that are formed especially as intermediates in chemical reactions

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for carbene

carb- + -ene

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about carbene

Statistics for carbene

Look-up Popularity

Comments on carbene

What made you want to look up carbene? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

peer-to-peer

Listen to the pronounciation of peer-to-peer

using a distributed computer network

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?

  • time traveler quiz which word came first
  • Which came first?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games