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
Keep them away from onions, apples, and other types of ethylene-producing produce that can speed up aging and sprouting.
—
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
With oil and natural gas markets disrupted by the halt of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, basic chemicals — such as ethylene and propylene, which go into plastics — have become increasingly uncompetitive to produce in Europe.
—Marilen Martin, Bloomberg, 15 Apr. 2026
Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries that use flammable liquid electrolytes – typically organic carbonates such as ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and diethyl carbonate – this new design is sodium-ion based.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
Analyst Jeffrey Zekauskas said the prices of two key chemicals, ethylene and propylene, have jumped due to the conflict in the Middle East.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
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Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
With oil and natural gas markets disrupted by the halt of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, basic chemicals — such as ethylene and propylene, which go into plastics — have become increasingly uncompetitive to produce in Europe.
—Marilen Martin, Bloomberg, 15 Apr. 2026
Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries that use flammable liquid electrolytes – typically organic carbonates such as ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and diethyl carbonate – this new design is sodium-ion based.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
Analyst Jeffrey Zekauskas said the prices of two key chemicals, ethylene and propylene, have jumped due to the conflict in the Middle East.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 14 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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