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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
The same goes for the key emissions metric of tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e).
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
Of course air travel contributes to climate change because planes burn fossil fuels to fly and add carbon dioxide into the air.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 12 Sep. 2024
Increasing carbon dioxide emissions is due to human activity.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2024
The goal: to suck up planet-heating carbon dioxide, increase rainfall and bring food and jobs to local people.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 8 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for carbon dioxide
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'carbon dioxide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1867, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near carbon dioxide
Cite this Entry
“Carbon dioxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20dioxide. Accessed 29 Sep. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on carbon dioxide
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carbon dioxide
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