ethylene
noun
eth·yl·ene
ˈe-thə-ˌlēn 
1
: a colorless flammable gaseous unsaturated hydrocarbon C2H4 that is found in coal gas, can be produced by pyrolysis of petroleum hydrocarbons, and occurs in plants functioning especially as a natural growth regulator that promotes the ripening of fruit
2
: a divalent hydrocarbon group C2H4 derived from ethane
Examples of ethylene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There are certain fruits that produce a high amount of ethylene, thus speeding up the ripening process.
—
Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026
Keep Storage in Mind Crabtree and Higgins also recommend keeping potatoes away from onions or apples, as these foods release ethylene gas that can trigger sprouting.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2026
These fruits give off ethylene, a natural ripening hormone.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
Also called alkenes, the most important examples in industry include ethylene and propylene.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ethylene
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Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026
Keep Storage in Mind Crabtree and Higgins also recommend keeping potatoes away from onions or apples, as these foods release ethylene gas that can trigger sprouting.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2026
These fruits give off ethylene, a natural ripening hormone.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
Also called alkenes, the most important examples in industry include ethylene and propylene.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ethylene
Cite this Entry
“Ethylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethylene. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ethylene
noun
eth·yl·ene
ˈeth-ə-ˌlēn
: a colorless flammable gas found in coal gas or obtained from petroleum and used to ripen fruits or as an anesthetic
Medical Definition
ethylene
noun
eth·yl·ene
ˈeth-ə-ˌlēn
1
: a colorless flammable gaseous unsaturated hydrocarbon C2H4 that is found in coal gas, can be produced by pyrolysis of petroleum hydrocarbons, is used in medicine as a general inhalation anesthetic, and occurs in plants functioning especially as a natural growth regulator that promotes the ripening of fruit
called also ethene
2
: a divalent hydrocarbon group C2H4 derived from ethane
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