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
Examples of ethylene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cooler temperatures slow the release of ethylene gas, extending the life of your avocados by three to five days.
—
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
Wrapping the stems in plastic traps the ethylene gas and prevents it from spreading to the rest of the fruit, slowing down the ripening process.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
Currently, about 15% to 20% of the pyrolysis products are recycled into new propylene and ethylene, while most – about 80% to 85% – becomes diesel fuel, hydrogen, methane and other chemicals.
—Alexander Kaplitz, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
To make plastic, petroleum refineries isolate hydrocarbons and then crack those hydrocarbons into even smaller compounds like ethylene or propylene.
—Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ethylene
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Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
Wrapping the stems in plastic traps the ethylene gas and prevents it from spreading to the rest of the fruit, slowing down the ripening process.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
Currently, about 15% to 20% of the pyrolysis products are recycled into new propylene and ethylene, while most – about 80% to 85% – becomes diesel fuel, hydrogen, methane and other chemicals.
—Alexander Kaplitz, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
To make plastic, petroleum refineries isolate hydrocarbons and then crack those hydrocarbons into even smaller compounds like ethylene or propylene.
—Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ethylene
Cite this Entry
“Ethylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethylene. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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