acetaldehyde

noun

ac·​et·​al·​de·​hyde ˌa-sə-ˈtal-də-ˌhīd How to pronounce acetaldehyde (audio)
: a colorless volatile water-soluble liquid aldehyde C2H4O used chiefly in organic synthesis

Examples of acetaldehyde in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some of the chemicals in e-cigarettes — including acetaldehyde, acrolein and formaldehyde — can cause lung and heart disease. Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 3 Dec. 2024 In the case of ethanol, this process makes acetaldehyde—a toxic chemical—and then acetate, or acetic acid, the acid found in vinegar. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 An enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde. John Loeppky, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2024 The tests revealed that Morehouse BioEnergy LLC and LaSalle BioEnergy LLC emitted high rates of probable carcinogens acetaldehyde and formaldehyde and a total of more than 38 tons per year of toxic or hazardous air pollutants emitted from each site, company documents said. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for acetaldehyde 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Acetaldehyd, from acet- acet- + Aldehyd aldehyde

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acetaldehyde was in 1857

Dictionary Entries Near acetaldehyde

Cite this Entry

“Acetaldehyde.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetaldehyde. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

acetaldehyde

noun
ac·​et·​al·​de·​hyde ˌas-ə-ˈtal-də-ˌhīd How to pronounce acetaldehyde (audio)
: a colorless volatile water-soluble liquid aldehyde C2H4O used chiefly in organic synthesis that can cause irritation to mucous membranes

More from Merriam-Webster on acetaldehyde

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