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

ethylenic

ˌe-thə-ˈlē-nik  -ˈle-nik 

adjective

Examples of ethylene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For a beach-friendly pair of Birkenstocks, try its Eva line that’s made of ethylene vinyl acetate, which feels like flexible rubber. —Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 13 June 2026

How Avocados Ripen Avocados naturally ripen after harvesting thanks to ethylene gas, which is a gas released by avocados and other types of produce that softens the exterior of the fruit, converts starches to sugars, and gives avocados their creamy texture and buttery flavor. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 11 June 2026

That's because several fruits like apples, bananas, avocados, and tomatoes produce ethylene gas, a ripening hormone. —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

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ethylene

• ethylene dibromide
• ethylene glycol
• ethylene oxide

Rhymes for ethylene

• acridine
• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene

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

ethylenic

ˌeth-ə-ˈlē-nik  -ˈlen-ik 

adjective

ethylenically

-ˈlē-ni-k(ə-)lē  -ˈlen-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb