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
Low humidity is ideal for fruits that release ethylene gas, like apples, avocados and ripe stone fruit.
—
Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Oil is a feedstock used to make ethylene, so higher oil prices drive up the cost of polyethylene.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 May 2026
These fruits release ethylene gas, which becomes trapped in the bag and encourages the peaches to ripen more quickly.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
Separating bananas may slightly slow ripening by reducing exposure to ethylene gas from especially ripe or bruised fruit.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 18 May 2026
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Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Oil is a feedstock used to make ethylene, so higher oil prices drive up the cost of polyethylene.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 May 2026
These fruits release ethylene gas, which becomes trapped in the bag and encourages the peaches to ripen more quickly.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
Separating bananas may slightly slow ripening by reducing exposure to ethylene gas from especially ripe or bruised fruit.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ethylene
Cite this Entry
“Ethylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethylene. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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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