formaldehyde

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

|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

Definition of formaldehyde

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

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Recent Examples of formaldehyde from the Web

The dangers of formaldehyde have long been known Formaldehyde is a colorless gas that’s used to make building materials like particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard — so it’s found in our houses and furniture.

— julia belluz, Vox, "Formaldehyde causes cancer. The EPA doesn’t want to acknowledge it.," 6 July 2018
As staff director for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in 2004, Wheeler worked to delay an earlier version of the EPA’s formaldehyde analysis – and went on to profitable career as chemical industry lobbyist.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "The EPA Is Hiding Proof That a Widely Used Chemical Causes Leukemia: Report," 6 July 2018
Several studies have suggested the presence of formaldehyde, a dangerous chemical known to cause cancer in humans.

— ahmed elbenni, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee bans e-cigarettes in public spaces," 21 June 2018
One of his formaldehyde sculptures is now decorating a new bar at the Palms Casino Resort, which also features work by a dude-list of artists, including Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Takashi Murakami.

— carolina a. miranda, latimes.com, "Essential Arts: A violinist's royal wedding call, L.A.'s disappeared public art, 'Soft Power' debuts," 19 May 2018
Though not high on the list of formaldehyde removers, this plant is a tough one to kill.

— emily main, Good Housekeeping, "7 Plants That Can Actually Purify Your Indoor Air," 21 Nov. 2017
The hyena, pelican and monkey had never met before they were frozen in time in a Noah's Ark of formaldehyde.

— oded balilty, Fox News, "AP PHOTOS: Long-dead critters animate Israel's nature museum," 11 June 2018
Working from the idea that a vaccine didn’t actually have to infect someone with a disease to jump-start immunity, Jonas Salk learned to kill poliovirus with formaldehyde and administer it.

— adam rogers, WIRED, "The Man Who Says Science Blew Its Best Shot at an AIDS Vaccine," 1 June 2018
The campaign will identify products that are made without ingredients like surfactants (chemicals used to help clean and create suds) SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, musks, or mineral oil.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "Sephora Is Launching a ‘Clean’ Beauty Section," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'formaldehyde.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.