chlorofluorocarbon
noun
chlo·ro·fluo·ro·car·bon
ˌklȯr-ō-ˌflȯr-ō-ˈkär-bən 
-ˌflu̇r-
: 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
This year, the United Nations released an encouraging study reporting that the ozone layer was indeed on track to fully recover from the damage caused by Midgley’s chlorofluorocarbons — but not for another 40 years.
—
Steven Johnson, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2023
Many fall under the umbrella of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals popularized in the 1930s for use in spray cans, plastic foams and refrigeration.
—J. Besl, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 May 2023
Freon is a trademark name typically used to refer to several different refrigerants, including chlorofluorocarbons, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN, 10 Apr. 2023
Solstice also has a minimal atmospheric lifetime (under two weeks compared to the 1.6 years with hydrofluorocarbons and and 80-100 years with traditional chlorofluorocarbons), so your strategic bedhead won’t haunt your descendants.
—Erica Smith, ELLE, 5 Apr. 2023
Midgley’s innovations — particularly the chlorofluorocarbons — seemed like brilliant ideas at the time, but 50 years taught us otherwise.
—Steven Johnson, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2023
In 1987, the historic Montreal Protocol greatly restricted the use of chlorofluorocarbons worldwide, after those chemicals, used since the 1920s for refrigeration, air-conditioning, foam, and aerosol spray cans, were found to deplete ozone after rising into the stratosphere.
—Kay Nolan, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Mar. 2023
One evening decades ago, when the atmospheric chemist Sherwood Rowland returned home from a long day at the lab studying chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), his wife asked him how things were going.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Apr. 2012
Nevertheless, even a negative result would place important limits on how much chlorofluorocarbon there could be in the atmospheres of exoplanets.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2022
See More
Steven Johnson, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2023
Many fall under the umbrella of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals popularized in the 1930s for use in spray cans, plastic foams and refrigeration.
—J. Besl, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 May 2023
Freon is a trademark name typically used to refer to several different refrigerants, including chlorofluorocarbons, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN, 10 Apr. 2023
Solstice also has a minimal atmospheric lifetime (under two weeks compared to the 1.6 years with hydrofluorocarbons and and 80-100 years with traditional chlorofluorocarbons), so your strategic bedhead won’t haunt your descendants.
—Erica Smith, ELLE, 5 Apr. 2023
Midgley’s innovations — particularly the chlorofluorocarbons — seemed like brilliant ideas at the time, but 50 years taught us otherwise.
—Steven Johnson, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2023
In 1987, the historic Montreal Protocol greatly restricted the use of chlorofluorocarbons worldwide, after those chemicals, used since the 1920s for refrigeration, air-conditioning, foam, and aerosol spray cans, were found to deplete ozone after rising into the stratosphere.
—Kay Nolan, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Mar. 2023
One evening decades ago, when the atmospheric chemist Sherwood Rowland returned home from a long day at the lab studying chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), his wife asked him how things were going.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Apr. 2012
Nevertheless, even a negative result would place important limits on how much chlorofluorocarbon there could be in the atmospheres of exoplanets.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chlorofluorocarbon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1949, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of chlorofluorocarbon was
in 1949
Dictionary Entries Near chlorofluorocarbon
Cite this Entry
“Chlorofluorocarbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chlorofluorocarbon. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
chlorofluorocarbon
noun
chlo·ro·flu·o·ro·car·bon
ˌklōr-ō-ˌflu̇(-ə)r-ō-ˈkär-bən,
ˌklȯr-
: a compound that contains carbon, chlorine, fluorine, and sometimes hydrogen and that is used to help refrigerate things, dissolve other compounds, or make aerosol sprays work and is believed to cause ozone loss in the stratosphere
More from Merriam-Webster on chlorofluorocarbon
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chlorofluorocarbon
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