aldehyde

noun

al·​de·​hyde ˈal-də-ˌhīd 

: acetaldehyde

broadly : any of a class of highly reactive organic compounds that are analogous to acetaldehyde and characterized by a carbonyl group attached to a hydrogen atom

aldehydic

ˌal-də-ˈhī-dik 

adjective

Examples of aldehyde in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pair it with Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s 724 to amplify those aldehyde notes into something even more sophisticated and urban-chic. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 20 Dec. 2024

Elegantly scented, this smells like a fresh bouquet of roses softened by jasmine, neroli, and aldehydes—leaving a feminine aroma sure to delight passersby. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024

Feathers became red, for example, when the chain ended with an aldehyde, a chemical group that contains an oxygen and a hydrogen atom attached to a carbon atom. —Elizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024

Beaux’s blend of rose, jasmine, and synthetic aldehydes, an ingredient No. 5 would popularize, remains iconic 100 years later. —Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

German Aldehyd, from New Latin al. dehyd., abbreviation of alcohol dehydrogenatum dehydrogenated alcohol

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

aldehyde

noun

al·​de·​hyde ˈal-də-ˌhīd 

: acetaldehyde

broadly : any of various highly reactive compounds typified by acetaldehyde and characterized by the group CHO

aldehydic

ˌal-də-ˈhīd-ik 

adjective