chlorofluorocarbon

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

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

See chlorofluorocarbon defined for English-language learners

See chlorofluorocarbon defined for kids

Examples of chlorofluorocarbon in a Sentence

Many nations have banned the production of chlorofluorocarbons.

Recent Examples of chlorofluorocarbon from the Web

HFCs were designed as a replacement for another class of chemicals -- chlorofluorocarbons -- that deplete the ozone layer.

— ari natter, Bloomberg.com, "Court Tosses an Obama-Era Climate Rule That Trump Had Defended," 8 Aug. 2017
Methane and ozone-depleting gases known as chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, are becoming relatively smaller contributors, the report states.

— lisa friedman, New York Times, "Climate-Altering Gases Spiked in 2016, Federal Scientists Report," 13 July 2017
While the hole in the protective ozone layer above Antarctica is finally healing ever since the 1987 Montreal Protocol cut emissions of ozone-eating chlorofluorocarbons, scientists have just identified a new threat to its recovery.

— dino grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: Trump’s latest energy push may run afoul of another big priority: Boosting manufacturing," 28 June 2017
Certain chemicals must be present in the atmosphere - namely chlorine, one of the major components of chlorofluorocarbons, which can chemically react with ozone and break it up into other molecules.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "Scientists may have just found an unexpected new threat to the ozone layer," 9 June 2017
Her findings paved the way for the 1989 Montreal Protocol, which banned the worst ozone-depleting chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons.

— nathaniel scharping, Discover Magazine, "The Ozone Hole Is Finally Healing," 22 Dec. 2016
The deal would be an amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the landmark 1989 environmental treaty designed to close the hole in the ozone layer by banning ozone-depleting coolants called chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs.

— coral davenport, New York Times, "A Sequel to the Paris Climate Accord Takes Shape in Vienna," 23 July 2016
In 1974, Mario Molina and Sherwood Rowland, two chemists at the University of California, Irvine, published an article in Nature detailing the threats to the ozone layer from chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases.

— paul nicklen, National Geographic, "Remember the Ozone Hole? Now There's Proof It's Healing.," 30 June 2016
Chlorofluorocarbons were originally used as the propelling agent, but the effects were proven to damage the ozone layer.

— tony long, WIRED, "Jan. 23, 1978: Pfffttt….," 23 Jan. 2007

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

CHLOROFLUOROCARBON Defined for English Language Learners

chlorofluorocarbon

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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