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

Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles promise to result in far fewer emissions of toxic gases and carbon dioxide – especially if they are recharged with electricity produced from renewable sources like wind and solar power. —Michael Leamy, Discover Magazine, 2 Nov. 2024

Mars sports a thin atmosphere made up mostly of carbon dioxide. —Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Methane, which has 86 times the warming impact of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, is largely emitted by fracking. —Li Cohen, CBS News, 31 Oct. 2024

The Green Burial Council estimates that a natural burial process sequesters 25 pounds of carbon dioxide by avoiding energy-intensive fertilization, watering, and maintenance. —Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

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