ethylene

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

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Kuraray's Eval plant, located on Bay Area Boulevard, opened in 1986 to produce ethylene vinyl alcohol, a chemical used in food packaging. — Katherine Blunt, Houston Chronicle, "Most injured workers released from hospitals after Kuraray explosion," 25 May 2018 Another nearby facility, which the firm has recently expanded, converts the ethylene into plastic resin that is sold worldwide. — The Economist, "America’s chemicals industry is booming. But politics may get in its way," 14 Apr. 2018 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

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.

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Dictionary Entries near ethylene

ethylene chlorohydrin

ethylene cyanohydrin

ethylenediaminetetraacetate

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Last Updated

25 Aug 2018

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The first known use of ethylene was in 1849

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More Definitions for ethylene

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