ethylene

noun

eth·​yl·​ene ˈe-thə-ˌlēn 

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

ˌe-thə-ˈlē-nik  -ˈle-nik 

adjective

Examples of ethylene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The bag is made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), a type of rubbery, flexible plastic that’s water-resistant, which adds to its practicality. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

As the conflict in the Middle East weakens supply chains, China aims to increase its production of ethylene in its first fully green production chain. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026

Also, take care to keep potatoes away from onions, as onions release ethylene gas, which speeds up the sprouting process. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 19 July 2026

Traditional midsoles were made of ethylene-vinyl acetate and could be higher, to provide more cushioning, or lower, to save weight. — Scott Douglas, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ethylene

• ethylene dibromide
• ethylene glycol
• ethylene oxide

Rhymes for ethylene

• acridine
• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene

Kids Definition

ethylene

noun

eth·​yl·​ene ˈeth-ə-ˌlēn 

: a colorless flammable gas found in coal gas or obtained from petroleum and used to ripen fruits or as an anesthetic

Medical Definition

ethylene

noun

eth·​yl·​ene ˈeth-ə-ˌlēn 

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

ethylenic

ˌeth-ə-ˈlē-nik  -ˈlen-ik 

adjective

ethylenically

-ˈlē-ni-k(ə-)lē  -ˈlen-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb