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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And Trump’s moves have drawn criticism from environmental groups, who note that burning coal is the most polluting of all fossil fuels and accounts for roughly 40 percent of the world’s industrial carbon dioxide emissions, the main driver of global warming. Chris Kenning, USA Today, 1 May 2025 This intensive process is responsible for up to 8 percent of humanity’s carbon dioxide emissions. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025 But the most effective ways to protect and preserve reefs is to minimize humans’ effects by curtailing pollution that washes into the ocean from land, ending overfishing and curbing the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2025 Plastic is made from chemicals derived from fossil fuels, the burning of which drive the climate crisis by producing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025 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 3 May. 2025.

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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