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

For example, a gold catalyst leads to the production of carbon monoxide (CO), while copper produces more complex compounds including alcohols, ethanol and methane (CH4). — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026

So researchers from the University of Oxford led an investigation to establish whether carbon monoxide can help explain smoking’s unexpected shielding effect. — Mike McRae 10, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026

Many new generators have a device that detects dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and turns off the machine when levels climb too high. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Newlight also reported a 28 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions and a 22 percent decrease in carbon monoxide emissions during the voyage. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 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