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
For optimal storage, keep cucumbers in a produce keeper in the refrigerator's crisper drawer to prevent moisture loss and protect them from ethylene exposure.
—
Susan Hall Mahon, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
Instead, they’re often exposed to ethylene gas, which encourages ripening and reddening.
—Brette Warshaw, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 June 2026
Low humidity is ideal for fruits that release ethylene gas, like apples, avocados and ripe stone fruit.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Oil is a feedstock used to make ethylene, so higher oil prices drive up the cost of polyethylene.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ethylene
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Susan Hall Mahon, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
Instead, they’re often exposed to ethylene gas, which encourages ripening and reddening.
—Brette Warshaw, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 June 2026
Low humidity is ideal for fruits that release ethylene gas, like apples, avocados and ripe stone fruit.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Oil is a feedstock used to make ethylene, so higher oil prices drive up the cost of polyethylene.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 May 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 13 Jun. 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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