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

After turning the oven and two burners on for 15 minutes, those figures rose to 89 ppm for carbon monoxide and 180 ppb for nitrogen dioxide. — Carol J. Williams, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

Ozone, which is made up of three oxygen atoms, forms when emissions of other pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides from fossil-fuel burning or wildfires mix with sunlight and heat. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2026

Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors Nearly every homeowner recognizes the incessant chirp that indicates a dying battery in a carbon monoxide or smoke detector, but few know that the units themselves should be replaced after 7 to 10 years. — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026

When thermal runaway starts, the process can continue for days, with the potential for batteries to release toxic gases such as hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride and carbon monoxide. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 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