ethylene

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noun eth·yl·ene \ˈe-thə-ˌlēn\

Definition of ethylene

1 : a colorless flammable gaseous unsaturated hydrocarbon C₂H₄ that is found in coal gas, can be produced by pyrolysis of petroleum hydrocarbons, and occurs in plants functioning especially as a natural growth regulator that promotes the ripening of fruit
2 : a divalent hydrocarbon group C₂H₄ derived from ethane

ethylenic

play \ˌe-thə-ˈlē-nik, -ˈle-nik\ adjective

See ethylene defined for kids

Recent Examples of ethylene from the Web

That study, completed this June, found the opposite to be true: Women who worked with a substance called ethylene glycol ether experienced an unusually high rate of miscarriage.

— heidi schmidt, WIRED, "Small, Foreign, and Female", 1 Apr. 1993

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ethylene'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

1849

First Known Use of ethylene

1849

Medical Dictionary

ethylene

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noun eth·yl·ene \ˈeth-ə-ˌlēn\

Medical Definition of ethylene

1: a colorless flammable gaseous unsaturated hydrocarbon C₂H₄ that is found in coal gas, can be produced by pyrolysis of petroleum hydrocarbons, is used in medicine as a general inhalation anesthetic, and occurs in plants functioning especially as a natural growth regulator that promotes the ripening of fruit—called also ethene
2: a divalent hydrocarbon group C₂H₄ derived from ethane