carbon monoxide

noun

: a colorless odorless very toxic gas CO that is formed as a product of the incomplete combustion of carbon or a carbon compound

Examples of carbon monoxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These include water vapor, carbon monoxide, methane and, for the first time ever in a planetary atmosphere, silicon monoxide. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 June 2025

The three big components of smoke are aerosols, gases (like carbon monoxide), and particulates. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 May 2025

As outside temperatures dropped to the low- to mid-teens Fahrenheit on Feb. 10, 2025, two children died of carbon monoxide toxicity in a family van parked in a Detroit casino parking garage. —John Kuk, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2025

In addition to particulates, wildfire smoke contains a complex mix of toxic gases, including carbon monoxide, ozone and VOCs, such as benzene and formaldehyde. —Sissi Liu, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for carbon monoxide

• hydroxide
• tetroxide

Kids Definition

carbon monoxide

noun

: a colorless odorless very poisonous gas formed by the incomplete burning of carbon

Medical Definition

carbon monoxide

noun

: a colorless odorless very toxic gas CO that burns to carbon dioxide with a blue flame and is formed as a product of the incomplete combustion of carbon