chlorofluorocarbon

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

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

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

In fact, portfolios of demand and supply measures have worked in plenty of policy areas, including environmental policy (lead in gas, chlorofluorocarbons, etc.).

— david roberts, Vox, "It’s time to think seriously about cutting off the supply of fossil fuels," 3 Apr. 2018
Scientists first discovered the dramatic thinning in Earth's protective sheet in the 1970s and determined the production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), used in refrigerators and aerosol sprays, caused the anomaly.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "Ozone layer continues to thin over Earth's populated areas," 7 Feb. 2018
In 1987, countries of the world agreed to the Montreal Protocol, a treaty designed to phase out chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, responsible for destroying ozone in the stratosphere.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "A key part of the Earth's ozone layer is failing to heal," 6 Feb. 2018
Experts say the mending of the hole is attributable to series of international regulations on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) — the manmade chemicals known to promote the breakdown of ozone molecules (O3) — that were adopted beginning in 1987.

— david freeman /, NBC News, "The good news about the ozone hole is even better than you think," 9 Jan. 2018
Scientists first realized chlorofluorocarbons were wearing down the thin ozone layer above Antarctica in the 1970s.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "The Earth's ozone hole is shrinking and is the smallest it has been since 1988," 3 Nov. 2017
Scientists found that a type of chemical called chlorofluorocarbons, used in refrigerants and as a propellant for things like hairspray, were collecting in the polar stratosphere.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "The Ozone Hole Is the Smallest It’s Been in 30 Years—But We Can’t Take Credit," 3 Nov. 2017
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

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

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