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

Police said the preliminary findings show carbon monoxide levels in the vehicle were at levels exceeding what is considered safe. — Michael Guise, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Citgo is asking for carbon monoxide emissions standards to be loosened for certain larger boilers and heaters at the Lemont refinery during periods of startup and shutdown, Citgo lawyer Melissa Brown said in an opening statement. — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

There are hurdles to overcome with the difficulty in combining different gas-detecting sensors onto a single computer chip, compared to the simple one found in standard home carbon monoxide detectors which are programmed to sense a single gas. — Shirl Leigh june 26, New Atlas, 26 June 2026

The actor, who died in February of smoke inhalation after a barn fire, had alcohol and carbon monoxide in his system, according to a Maryland Chief Medical Examiner autopsy report obtained by USA TODAY on Thursday, June 25. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 25 June 2026

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