ethylene

noun eth·yl·ene \ ˈe-thə-ˌlēn \

|Updated on: 30 Jun 2018

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

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ethylenic

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

See ethylene defined for kids

Recent Examples of ethylene from the Web

This will trap the ripening ethylene gases and expedite the process.

— audrey bruno, SELF, "Here's How to Store Pretty Much Any Kind of Produce," 25 June 2018
The hurricane also shuttered almost half of the nation's production of many major chemicals, such as ethylene, which is the primary building block of most plastics.

— jordan blum, Houston Chronicle, "Motiva won't expand oil refining in Port Arthur," 4 June 2018
To speed the ripening process, place the avocado inside a paper bag with an apple or banana, as both release ethylene gas, which hastens the ripening of the avocado.

— susan russo, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Avocado aficionado: Sam the Cooking Guy," 4 June 2018
The translucent plastic membrane that will make up the canopy covering is made of ETFE, or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene -- similar to the material used in the roof of the Mercedes-Benz stadium.

— kelly yamanouchi, ajc, "Hartsfield-Jackson installing translucent canopy covering," 4 June 2018
Not only is the ethylene produced there much cheaper than naphtha abroad, but making more sophisticated chemicals and plastics in this region also saves on transport costs since much of American manufacturing is close by.

— The Economist, "America’s chemicals industry is booming. But politics may get in its way," 14 Apr. 2018
It will be made of ETFE, or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, similar to the material used in the roof of the Mercedes-Benz stadium.

— kelly yamanouchi, ajc, "Hartsfield-Jackson canopy construction moving to next phase," 23 May 2018
The ethylene production complex would generate 1,200 new direct jobs with an average annual salary of $84,500, according to the state's Economic Development department.

— littice bacon-blood, NOLA.com, "St. James Parish chosen for $9.4 billion Formosa ethylene plant," 23 Apr. 2018
The building’s walls would be made of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), a flexible plastic that can have built-in electricity-generating solar cells.

— NBC News, "This inflatable skyscraper could save lives in disaster zones," 29 Apr. 2018

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.

First Known Use of ethylene

1849

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

ethylene

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

—