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
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Pilot operations have shown that the cost of producing ethylene with this method is comparable to that of traditional fossil fuel sources.
—
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
In fact, today’s cantaloupes often don’t produce a natural element known as ethylene, which is commonly found in fruits that do ripen after they’re picked like bananas, peaches, pears, or avocados.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Some tricks to slow down ripening and prevent bruising include separating bananas from the bunch, hanging them from a hook, and wrapping their stems in plastic wrap to prevent the release of ethylene gas.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025
All of these fruits give off lots of ethylene gas, which can cause lemons in their vicinity to spoil faster.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ethylene
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Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
In fact, today’s cantaloupes often don’t produce a natural element known as ethylene, which is commonly found in fruits that do ripen after they’re picked like bananas, peaches, pears, or avocados.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Some tricks to slow down ripening and prevent bruising include separating bananas from the bunch, hanging them from a hook, and wrapping their stems in plastic wrap to prevent the release of ethylene gas.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025
All of these fruits give off lots of ethylene gas, which can cause lemons in their vicinity to spoil faster.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ethylene
Cite this Entry
“Ethylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethylene. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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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