formaldehyde

noun

form·​al·​de·​hyde fȯr-ˈmal-də-ˌhīd 

fər-

: a colorless pungent irritating gas CH₂O used chiefly in aqueous solution as a disinfectant and preservative and in chemical synthesis

Examples of formaldehyde in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cattelan duct-taped a banana to a wall, Hirst put a shark in a tank of formaldehyde, and Duchamp put a urinal in a gallery and signed with a fake name. — Lis Anderson, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Araminta is a taxidermist and has plans for something bigger, and somehow her macabre plan to fill Bernie with formaldehyde gets to him. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026

The bacteria also happen to metabolize formaldehyde, a rare capability that researchers can spot signs of in fog water. — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2026

There have also been concerns over toilet paper that is bleached, as bleaching can create dioxins, and concerns over toilet paper that includes formaldehyde, a carcinogen. — Jillian Pretzel, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary form- + aldehyde

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing formaldehyde

• urea-formaldehyde

Rhymes for formaldehyde

• acetamide
• acetonide
• acidified
• antimonide
• beatified
• benzaldehyde
• borohydride
• chalcogenide
• commodified
• decalcified
• declassified
• disaccharide

Kids Definition

formaldehyde

noun

form·​al·​de·​hyde fȯr-ˈmal-də-ˌhīd 

fər-

: a colorless gas that consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, has a sharp irritating odor, and when dissolved in water is used to disinfect or to prevent decay

Medical Definition

formaldehyde

noun

form·​al·​de·​hyde fȯr-ˈmal-də-ˌhīd, fər- 

: a colorless pungent irritating gas CH₂O used chiefly as a disinfectant and preservative and in chemical synthesis