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
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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
South Carolina exported $223 million in the flexible polymer ethylene copolymers to the EU in 2024 (59% of its exports to the world).
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025
Keep Roses Away from Apples and Bananas Both apples and bananas produce a lot of ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening in fruits and flowers.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ethylene
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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
South Carolina exported $223 million in the flexible polymer ethylene copolymers to the EU in 2024 (59% of its exports to the world).
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025
Keep Roses Away from Apples and Bananas Both apples and bananas produce a lot of ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening in fruits and flowers.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 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 4 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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