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formaldehyde

noun

form·​al·​de·​hyde fȯr-ˈmal-də-ˌhīd How to pronounce formaldehyde (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Many of these products are essentially plastic dishes made from melamine-formaldehyde resin containing bamboo filler. Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025 On safety and environment, Li said the company’s fermentation and formulations avoid aniline, formaldehyde, and heavy metals. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 11 Nov. 2025 Clean fashion follows in the footsteps of clean beauty, which had a significant rise in the early 2010s when brands such as Beautycounter began formulating products free from chemicals like parabens and formaldehyde — widely linked to health issues spanning from hormone disruption to cancer. Sophie Benson, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025 It was formulated free of typical eye irritants, including parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, mineral oil, and contained less than one percent synthetic fragrance. Essence, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for formaldehyde

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary form- + aldehyde

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of formaldehyde was in 1872

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Cite this Entry

“Formaldehyde.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formaldehyde. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

formaldehyde

noun
form·​al·​de·​hyde fȯr-ˈmal-də-ˌhīd How to pronounce formaldehyde (audio)
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- How to pronounce formaldehyde (audio)
: a colorless pungent irritating gas CH2O used chiefly as a disinfectant and preservative and in chemical synthesis

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