chlorofluorocarbon

noun chlo·ro·fluo·ro·car·bon \ ˌklȯr-ō-ˌflȯr-ō-ˈkär-bən , -ˌflu̇r- \

|Updated on: 22 Jul 2018

Examples: chlorofluorocarbon in a Sentence

Definition of chlorofluorocarbon

: any of several simple gaseous compounds that contain carbon, chlorine, fluorine, and sometimes hydrogen, that are used as refrigerants, cleaning solvents, and aerosol propellants and in the manufacture of plastic foams, and that are believed to be a major cause of stratospheric ozone depletion —abbreviation CFC

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Examples of chlorofluorocarbon in a Sentence

Many nations have banned the production of chlorofluorocarbons.

Recent Examples of chlorofluorocarbon from the Web

There is mercury in liquid-crystal display screens, lead in cathode-ray tubes, cadmium in semiconductors and batteries, and ozone layer-destroying chlorofluorocarbons in old refrigerators, for example.

— peter ford, The Christian Science Monitor, "'E-waste': Getting grip on a growing global problem," 9 July 2018
The protocol was adopted in the late 1980s in response to studies that showed CFC-11 and similar gases, collectively known as chlorofluorocarbons, depleted atmospheric ozone.

— new york times, BostonGlobe.com, "Is someone secretly producing gas that harms the ozone layer?," 17 May 2018
The protocol was adopted in the late 1980s in response to studies that showed CFC-11 and similar gases, collectively known as chlorofluorocarbons, depleted atmospheric ozone.

— new york times, BostonGlobe.com, "Is someone secretly producing gas that harms the ozone layer?," 17 May 2018
The protocol was adopted in the late 1980s in response to studies that showed CFC-11 and similar gases, collectively known as chlorofluorocarbons, depleted atmospheric ozone.

— henry fountain, New York Times, "Banned Ozone-Harming Gas Creeps Back, Suggesting a Mystery Source," 16 May 2018
The Montreal Protocol, often hailed as the most successful international environmental agreement ever enacted, has led to declines in chlorofluorocarbons and an increase in stratospheric ozone.

— new york times, BostonGlobe.com, "Is someone secretly producing gas that harms the ozone layer?," 17 May 2018
Ward described these elements as chlorofluorocarbons, which deplete ozone.

— emily atkin, The New Republic, "What Is Kilauea’s Impact on the Climate?," 26 May 2018
The Montreal Protocol, often hailed as the most successful international environmental agreement ever enacted, has led to declines in chlorofluorocarbons and an increase in stratospheric ozone.

— new york times, BostonGlobe.com, "Is someone secretly producing gas that harms the ozone layer?," 17 May 2018
The Montreal Protocol, often hailed as the most successful international environmental agreement ever enacted, has led to declines in chlorofluorocarbons and an increase in stratospheric ozone.

— new york times, BostonGlobe.com, "Is someone secretly producing gas that harms the ozone layer?," 17 May 2018

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

First Known Use of chlorofluorocarbon

1949

in the meaning defined above

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CHLOROFLUOROCARBON Defined for English Language Learners

chlorofluorocarbon

noun

Definition of chlorofluorocarbon for English Language Learners

: a gas that was once commonly used in various products (such as aerosols) but that is believed to cause damage to the ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere