chlorofluorocarbon

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

|Updated on: 10 Jun 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

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
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.

— henry fountain, New York Times, "Banned Ozone-Harming Gas Creeps Back, Suggesting a Mystery Source," 16 May 2018
However, it is also classified as a hydro-chlorofluorocarbon, which has been associated with ozone layer depletion.

— brian sodoma, azcentral, "Your home AC unit: What you must know about R-22 and R-410A refrigerants," 11 May 2018
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

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