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
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One factory preserved its mango in formaldehyde, another tried to stem the fruit’s decay by sealing it in wax before placing it on an altar so that factory workers could solemnly file by to pay their respects to this token from on high.
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The dancer, Linda Kay, kept the hand in a jar of formaldehyde in her bedroom.
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.
Origin and Etymology of formaldehyde
International Scientific Vocabulary form- + aldehyde
FORMALDEHYDE Defined for English Language Learners
formaldehyde
playDefinition of formaldehyde for English Language Learners
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chemistry : a chemical that is used to prevent decay in the dead bodies of people and animals
Medical Dictionary
formaldehyde
playMedical Definition of formaldehyde
: a colorless pungent irritating gas CH2O used chiefly as a disinfectant and preservative and in chemical synthesis
Learn More about formaldehyde
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See words that rhyme with formaldehyde Spanish Central: Translation of formaldehyde Nglish: Translation of formaldehyde for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about formaldehyde
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