chlorofluorocarbon

noun

chlo·​ro·​fluo·​ro·​car·​bon ˌklȯr-ō-ˌflȯr-ō-ˈkär-bən 

-ˌflu̇r-

: any of several simple gaseous compounds that contain carbon, chlorine, fluorine, and sometimes hydrogen, that are used as refrigerants, cleaning solvents, and aerosol propellants and in the manufacture of plastic foams, and that are believed to be a major cause of stratospheric ozone depletion

—abbreviation CFC

Examples of chlorofluorocarbon in a Sentence

Many nations have banned the production of chlorofluorocarbons.

Recent Examples on the Web

This year, the United Nations released an encouraging study reporting that the ozone layer was indeed on track to fully recover from the damage caused by Midgley’s chlorofluorocarbons — but not for another 40 years. —Steven Johnson, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2023

Many fall under the umbrella of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals popularized in the 1930s for use in spray cans, plastic foams and refrigeration. —J. Besl, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 May 2023

Freon is a trademark name typically used to refer to several different refrigerants, including chlorofluorocarbons, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. —Rebekah Riess, CNN, 10 Apr. 2023

Solstice also has a minimal atmospheric lifetime (under two weeks compared to the 1.6 years with hydrofluorocarbons and and 80-100 years with traditional chlorofluorocarbons), so your strategic bedhead won’t haunt your descendants. —Erica Smith, ELLE, 5 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

chlorofluorocarbon

noun

chlo·​ro·​flu·​o·​ro·​car·​bon

ˌklōr-ō-ˌflu̇(-ə)r-ō-ˈkär-bən,

ˌklȯr-

: a compound that contains carbon, chlorine, fluorine, and sometimes hydrogen and that is used to help refrigerate things, dissolve other compounds, or make aerosol sprays work and is believed to cause ozone loss in the stratosphere