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

The exhibition debuted Hirst’s infamous shark in a formaldehyde tank, with the title The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living (1991). — Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Japanese straightening typically does not use formaldehyde, while some keratin and Brazilian blowout formulas do. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

To emphasize the ghoulishness, cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki shoots the president and his advisors in unflattering low angles with a formaldehyde sheen. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

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

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