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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This root is related to the substance ethylene, a compound found in plants that was initially discovered through its relation to alcohol (which is derived from wine).
—
Erik Kain, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Fruit and vegetables are usually stored separately in root cellars to slow down the spread of ethylene gas and keep vegetables from spoiling.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024
Polyolefins are produced by combining small chain links, or monomers, of ethylene or propylene, which are typically obtained from oil and natural gas.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 14 Sep. 2024
Do not keep them near apples or pears, which release ethylene gas that will harm the bulbs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024
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Erik Kain, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Fruit and vegetables are usually stored separately in root cellars to slow down the spread of ethylene gas and keep vegetables from spoiling.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024
Polyolefins are produced by combining small chain links, or monomers, of ethylene or propylene, which are typically obtained from oil and natural gas.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 14 Sep. 2024
Do not keep them near apples or pears, which release ethylene gas that will harm the bulbs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ethylene
Dictionary Entries Near ethylene
Cite this Entry
“Ethylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethylene. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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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