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

Fleming staked much of his campaign on opposition to carbon capture and sequestration, the process for injecting carbon dioxide waste underground to reduce industrial pollution. — ABC News, 27 June 2026

The buoys measure sea-surface temperature, currents and changes in ocean chemistry due to carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants. — Scott Neuman, NPR, 26 June 2026

Although reactors do not emit carbon dioxide while generating electricity, many depend on abundant supplies of cool water to operate efficiently. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 June 2026

International shipping is a significant source of greenhouse gases, accounting for around 3 percent of all global carbon dioxide emissions. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for carbon dioxide

• acetamide
• acetonide
• acidified
• antimonide
• beatified
• benzaldehyde
• borohydride
• chalcogenide
• commodified
• decalcified
• declassified
• disaccharide

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