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
The ethylene gas will cause fruits and vegetables sharing the refrigerator to ripen and rot more quickly.
—
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2023
What to Look for in the Best Chlorine Shampoos
When searching for the best chlorine shampoos, look for ingredients like apple cider vinegar, ethylene diamine tetra acetic-acid (EDTA), sodium thiosulfate, charcoal, and crystallized vitamin C to effectively remove chlorine.
—Joseph Cheatham, Men's Health, 17 July 2023
Available in over 30 different styles, these synthetic shoes were designed with an ethylene vinyl acetate sole and ventilation ports for breathability (hello, summer!).
—Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 21 June 2023
Midsoles are typically made from lighter and softer ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, or stiffer, more durable polyurethane (PU) foam.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 13 May 2023
On top of limiting emissions of 80 pollutants, chemical plants for the first time would monitor for six chemicals — benzene, ethylene oxide, chloroprene, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride and 1,3-butadiene — at the fence line, or perimeter, of their facilities.
—Lisa Song, ProPublica, 13 Apr. 2023
The Bosch 800 Series helps prevent food waste by using a system that includes FreshProtect, absorbing naturally occurring ethylene and slowing down ripening.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2023
Apples, bananas and pears produce the most ethylene gas, so store them away from other fruits.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 14 June 2023
Power outages caused by the storm triggered a release of ethylene dichloride from a storage tank at a plastics plant in Plaquemine operated by Shintech, a subsidiary of the Japanese industrial giant Shin-Etsu.
—Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2021
See More
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2023
What to Look for in the Best Chlorine Shampoos
When searching for the best chlorine shampoos, look for ingredients like apple cider vinegar, ethylene diamine tetra acetic-acid (EDTA), sodium thiosulfate, charcoal, and crystallized vitamin C to effectively remove chlorine.
—Joseph Cheatham, Men's Health, 17 July 2023
Available in over 30 different styles, these synthetic shoes were designed with an ethylene vinyl acetate sole and ventilation ports for breathability (hello, summer!).
—Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 21 June 2023
Midsoles are typically made from lighter and softer ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, or stiffer, more durable polyurethane (PU) foam.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 13 May 2023
On top of limiting emissions of 80 pollutants, chemical plants for the first time would monitor for six chemicals — benzene, ethylene oxide, chloroprene, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride and 1,3-butadiene — at the fence line, or perimeter, of their facilities.
—Lisa Song, ProPublica, 13 Apr. 2023
The Bosch 800 Series helps prevent food waste by using a system that includes FreshProtect, absorbing naturally occurring ethylene and slowing down ripening.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2023
Apples, bananas and pears produce the most ethylene gas, so store them away from other fruits.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 14 June 2023
Power outages caused by the storm triggered a release of ethylene dichloride from a storage tank at a plastics plant in Plaquemine operated by Shintech, a subsidiary of the Japanese industrial giant Shin-Etsu.
—Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ethylene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing ethylene
Dictionary Entries Near ethylene
Cite this Entry
“Ethylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethylene. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on ethylene
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ethylene
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share