chlorofluorocarbon

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

Examples of chlorofluorocarbon in a Sentence

Many nations have banned the production of chlorofluorocarbons.

Recent Examples on the Web The Montreal Protocol to ban CFCs, or chlorofluorocarbon chemicals once commonly used in aerosol sprays, refrigeration and air conditioners, was signed by dozens of countries in 1987. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, 21 Aug. 2021 Freon is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), which depletes the ozone layer and also acts as a global warming gas. — Eric Dean Wilson, Time, 30 June 2021 Freezers and refrigerators have housed some of the most potent greenhouse gases, including the compound known as R12, a chlorofluorocarbon with roughly 10,000 times the destructive potential of CO2. — Lindsey Mcginnis, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 May 2021 Solar geoengineering with aerosols runs head into the fact that aerosols, like ozone layer-destroying chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) spray aerosols, have often been a contributor to climate change. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 26 Mar. 2021 These include chlorofluorocarbons, which are found in air conditioners, refrigerators, and spray cans, halons, which are found in fire extinguishers, and methyl bromide, which is used to kill weeds, insects, and other pests. — Popular Science, 18 May 2020 Developed in the 1920s, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) served initially as refrigerants but were eventually used in hair sprays, deodorants and many more everyday products. — Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2020 In 1974, scientists found that chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, used in spray bottles and refrigeration destroyed ozone. — Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2020 Thanks to the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to phase out ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons, the ozone hole is now in recovery. — Chelsea Harvey, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2020

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.

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Statistics for chlorofluorocarbon

Cite this Entry

“Chlorofluorocarbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chlorofluorocarbon. Accessed 22 Jan. 2022.

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More Definitions for chlorofluorocarbon

chlorofluorocarbon

noun

English Language Learners Definition of chlorofluorocarbon

: 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

See the full definition for chlorofluorocarbon in the English Language Learners Dictionary