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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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Recent Examples of ethylene from the Web
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Although some gases, such as acetylene and ethylene, have been spotted on Titan, Malaska said the conditions aren't right for that process to form the labyrinths.
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The plant would make ethylene and other plastics from shale gas.
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That enzyme converted polyethylene into ethylene glycol, a chemical commonly used in antifreeze.
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Roses need air circulation to prevent the build-up of ethylene gas that ages a bloom.
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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.
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
Medical Dictionary
ethylene
playMedical 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
Learn More about ethylene
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ethylene
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