carbon dioxide

noun

: a heavy colorless gas CO2 that does not support combustion, dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, is formed especially in animal respiration and in the decay or combustion of animal and vegetable matter, is absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis, and is used in the carbonation of beverages

Examples of carbon dioxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Loyola Marymount University professor Demian Willette uses it to better understand how micro-forests take up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, contribute to local biodiversity and help restore degraded land. Emily Kwong, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026 The consistency is similar to olive oil and includes oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen gases that are dissolved within the fluid. Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026 The convention committed countries to inventories of all sources and sinks of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, and to establish national climate change programs. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 7 Jan. 2026 The plan included tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency gains by 2030 – important steps for slowing climate change since the energy sector makes up about 75% of the global carbon dioxide emissions that are heating up the planet. Jennifer Morgan, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for carbon dioxide

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbon dioxide was in 1867

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Cite this Entry

“Carbon dioxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20dioxide. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

carbon dioxide

noun
: a heavy colorless gas CO2 that is formed especially by the burning and breaking down of organic substances (as in animal respiration), is absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis, and has many industrial uses

Medical Definition

carbon dioxide

noun
: a heavy colorless gas CO2 that does not support combustion, dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, is formed especially in animal respiration and in the decay or combustion of animal and vegetable matter, is absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis, and is used in the carbonation of beverages

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