-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
carbon monoxide
noun
: a colorless odorless very toxic gas CO that is formed as a product of the incomplete combustion of carbon or a carbon compound
Examples of carbon monoxide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The duo found levels of carbon monoxide so alarmingly high, the city decided to electrify the rail lines.
—Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024
Long-term and continuous use can also create a buildup of carbon monoxide in the home.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024
The Greenfield Fire Department is noting the importance of having working carbon monoxide detectors after two adults died from dangerous levels of the gas inside a home.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2024
Eleven years later, researchers employed by the Forest Service published a paper that found that smoke from prescribed burns contained elevated levels of carbon monoxide and particulate matter, including benzene and formaldehyde, both of which are carcinogenic.
—ProPublica, 16 Mar. 2024
Solid residues are versatile and allow for the extraction of syngas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen); biocrude (a precursor to liquid biofuels); or simply high-temperature heat for use in heavy industry and power generation.
—Wood MacKenzie, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Check the batteries in your flashlights and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2024
Crews found elevated levels of carbon monoxide and no natural gas leak.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2024
The building had $6.5 million in deferred maintenance costs and had to close briefly in October 2022 after a carbon monoxide leak sent several students to the hospital.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'carbon monoxide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1868, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near carbon monoxide
Cite this Entry
“Carbon monoxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20monoxide. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Kids Definition
carbon monoxide
noun
: a colorless odorless very poisonous gas formed by the incomplete burning of carbon
Medical Definition
carbon monoxide
noun
: a colorless odorless very toxic gas CO that burns to carbon dioxide with a blue flame and is formed as a product of the incomplete combustion of carbon
More from Merriam-Webster on carbon monoxide
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carbon monoxide
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share