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

In fact, even though there wasn't a lot of carbon dioxide in the tank, the microbes persisted, adapting to the conditions relatively quickly. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2026

But a Cornell University study projects data centers will put an additional 24 to 44 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by 2030. — Anna Zarra Aldrich, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

The company estimates that converting the existing US fleet could avoid about 20 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually while providing gigawatts of additional generating capacity. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026

Chinese exports of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and EVs prevented 374 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions last year, more than the annual emissions of the UK, new analysis found. — Chloé Farand, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 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