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
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In the United States, each year, cremation releases hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and funerals put hundreds of thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals into the ground. Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026 It was built in 2014 with 70,000 metric tons of geopolymer concrete, which was estimated to have reduced the project’s carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 80%. Alcina Johnson Sudagar, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026 The project would capture carbon dioxide from ethanol plants and sequester it underground in North Dakota, to capitalize on federal tax credits incentivizing the prevention of heat-trapping emissions into the atmosphere. Meghan O'Brien, States Newsroom, 12 Feb. 2026 The Obama administration’s scientific review and adoption of the greenhouse gas endangerment rule in 2009 formed the basis for using the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon dioxide, methane and other planet-warming gases. Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 12 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for carbon dioxide

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbon dioxide was in 1867

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Cite this Entry

“Carbon dioxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20dioxide. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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

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