: a colorless gas COCl2 of unpleasant odor that is a severe respiratory irritant that has been used in chemical warfare
Examples of phosgene in a Sentence
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The daily Svenska Dagbladet newspaper said authorities had found traces of phosgene.
—
San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024
Chemical weapons, which contain phosgene, arsenic and sulfur mustard (also known as mustard gas), are too lethal to handle, probably ever, admits Guldin.
—Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024
But that was already made clear when the EPA advised officials on scene that phosgene — which was used as a chemical weapon in World War I — and hydrogen chloride would likely be created when vinyl chloride is burned and warned the public about that possibility.
—Josh Funk, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
Of those, the vinyl chloride gas that caught fire could break down into compounds including hydrogen chloride and phosgene, a chemical weapon used during World War I as a choking agent, according to the EPA and the CDC.
—Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 17 Feb. 2023
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San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024
Chemical weapons, which contain phosgene, arsenic and sulfur mustard (also known as mustard gas), are too lethal to handle, probably ever, admits Guldin.
—Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024
But that was already made clear when the EPA advised officials on scene that phosgene — which was used as a chemical weapon in World War I — and hydrogen chloride would likely be created when vinyl chloride is burned and warned the public about that possibility.
—Josh Funk, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
Of those, the vinyl chloride gas that caught fire could break down into compounds including hydrogen chloride and phosgene, a chemical weapon used during World War I as a choking agent, according to the EPA and the CDC.
—Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 17 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for phosgene
Cite this Entry
“Phosgene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosgene. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
phosgene
noun
phos·gene
ˈfäz-ˌjēn 
: a colorless gas COCl2 of unpleasant odor that is a severe respiratory irritant and has been used in chemical warfare
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