carbon monoxide

noun

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Definition of carbon monoxide

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

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See carbon monoxide defined for kids

Recent Examples of carbon monoxide from the Web

Despite aggressive public-information campaigns by federal and local officials on that point, carbon monoxide poisoning incidents remain a serious problem.

— juliet eilperin, chicagotribune.com, "Emails reveal close rapport between top EPA officials and those they regulate," 1 July 2018
The air in caves tends to be good, and cavers would typically worry about high concentrations of carbon monoxide, not low concentrations of oxygen, said Dinko Novosel, the president of the European Cave Rescue Association.

— New York Times, "8 Saved, 5 to Go in Thai Cave Rescue," 9 July 2018
Both teams focused on carbon monoxide, a gas that emits a distinctive signal at millimeter wavelength, perfect for the ALMA’s sensitivity.

— daniel clery, Science | AAAS, "This distant disk may contain the youngest exoplanets ever detected," 14 June 2018
In case traffic starts to build up, environmental sensors on the roadway deck measure carbon monoxide, NOx, and particulate levels every minute, for a continuous five-minute average.

— tim newcomb, WIRED, "The Brilliant Vigilance of Seattle's Gargantuan New Tunnel," 13 June 2018
The haphazard method of incineration generated numerous pollutants, including carbon monoxide and dioxin—the same chemical compound found in Agent Orange, the dangerous defoliant during the Vietnam War.

— perry chiaramonte, Fox News, "Former burn pit inspector says warnings were largely ignored by Pentagon officials during Iraq War," 7 June 2018
By the end of the year, the company had exceeded limits on carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides at least seven times.

— katrease stafford, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Renewable Power waste incinerator pollutes. Is DEQ doing enough?," 21 May 2018
Not to be outdone, other exhaust emissions — such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides — irritate your lungs.

— sarah bowman, Indianapolis Star, "The Indy 500 is actually super trashy," 21 May 2018
Firefighters were working to locate the source of the carbon monoxide, emergency medical services Captain Tim Rostkowski said.

— scott dance, baltimoresun.com, "Catonsville men's shelter evacuated for carbon monoxide leak, Baltimore County official confirms," 20 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'carbon monoxide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of carbon monoxide

1868

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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CARBON MONOXIDE Defined for English Language Learners

carbon monoxide

noun

Definition of carbon monoxide for English Language Learners

: a poisonous gas that is formed when carbon is not completely burned and especially when gasoline is burned in car engines

CARBON MONOXIDE Defined for Kids

carbon monoxide

noun carbon mon·ox·ide \ -mə-ˈnäk-ˌsīd \

Definition of carbon monoxide for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

carbon monoxide

noun

medical Definition of carbon monoxide

: 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