carbon dioxide

noun

: a heavy colorless gas CO₂ that does not support combustion, dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, is formed especially in animal respiration and in the decay or combustion of animal and vegetable matter, is absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis, and is used in the carbonation of beverages

Examples of carbon dioxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wine sprays: Wine sprays work by replacing oxygen in the bottle with inert gases (like nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide), which creates a barrier that prevents oxygen from penetrating the wine. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2025

Mosquitoes are attracted to damp or humid areas, standing water, warm temperatures, dark shady areas, and carbon dioxide. —Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Aug. 2025

High levels of volcanic gas -- including water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide -- is a major hazard of concern. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2025

Trees use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to produce sugars in their leaves, twigs and trunks, according to Worthley. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for carbon dioxide

• acetamide
• acetonide
• acidified
• antimonide
• beatified
• benzaldehyde
• borohydride
• chalcogenide
• commodified
• decalcified
• declassified
• disaccharide

Kids Definition

carbon dioxide

noun

: a heavy colorless gas CO₂ that is formed especially by the burning and breaking down of organic substances (as in animal respiration), is absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis, and has many industrial uses

Medical Definition

carbon dioxide

noun

: a heavy colorless gas CO₂ that does not support combustion, dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, is formed especially in animal respiration and in the decay or combustion of animal and vegetable matter, is absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis, and is used in the carbonation of beverages