formaldehyde

noun

form·​al·​de·​hyde fȯr-ˈmal-də-ˌhīd 

fər-

: a colorless pungent irritating gas CH₂O used chiefly in aqueous solution as a disinfectant and preservative and in chemical synthesis

Examples of formaldehyde in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to experts, consumers worried about formaldehyde should: Review ingredient lists. —Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 17 May 2025

Formaldehyde-releasing products need not be listed as formaldehyde on ingredient labels. —Ronnie Cohen, NPR, 8 May 2025

Household chemicals—Many cleaning products contain harmful substances like formaldehyde and benzene, both volatile organic compounds (VOCs). —Brynn Cooksey, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025

About 4% of the products used contained formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, but more than half of the women—53%—reported using them. —Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 17 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary form- + aldehyde

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing formaldehyde

• urea-formaldehyde

Rhymes for formaldehyde

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

Kids Definition

formaldehyde

noun

form·​al·​de·​hyde fȯr-ˈmal-də-ˌhīd 

fər-

: a colorless gas that consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, has a sharp irritating odor, and when dissolved in water is used to disinfect or to prevent decay

Medical Definition

formaldehyde

noun

form·​al·​de·​hyde fȯr-ˈmal-də-ˌhīd, fər- 

: a colorless pungent irritating gas CH₂O used chiefly as a disinfectant and preservative and in chemical synthesis