carbon dioxide

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noun

a colorless, odorless, incombustible gas, CO2, present in the atmosphere and formed during respiration, usually obtained from coal, coke, or natural gas by combustion, from carbohydrates by fermentation, by reaction of acid with limestone or other carbonates, or naturally from springs: used extensively in industry as dry ice, or carbon dioxide snow, in carbonated beverages, fire extinguishers, etc.
Also called carbonic-acid gas, carbonic anhydride.

Origin of carbon dioxide

First recorded in 1870–75

Words nearby carbon dioxide

carbon brush, carbon capture, carbon copy, carbon credit, carbon cycle, carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide cycle, carbon dioxide snow, carbon disulfide, carbon disulphide, carbon fiber

Example sentences from the Web for carbon dioxide

British Dictionary definitions for carbon dioxide

carbon dioxide

noun

a colourless odourless incombustible gas present in the atmosphere and formed during respiration, the decomposition and combustion of organic compounds, and in the reaction of acids with carbonates: used in carbonated drinks, fire extinguishers, and as dry ice for refrigeration. Formula: CO 2 Also called: carbonic-acid gas

Medical definitions for carbon dioxide

carbon dioxide

n.

A colorless, odorless, incombustible gas formed during respiration, combustion, and organic decomposition and used in inert atmospheres, fire extinguishers, and aerosols.

Scientific definitions for carbon dioxide

carbon dioxide

A colorless, odorless gas that is present in the atmosphere and is formed when any fuel containing carbon is burned. It is breathed out of an animal's lungs during respiration, is produced by the decay of organic matter, and is used by plants in photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide is also used in refrigeration, fire extinguishers, and carbonated drinks. Chemical formula: CO2.

Cultural definitions for carbon dioxide

carbon dioxide

A compound made up of molecules containing one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.

notes for carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is normally found as a gas that is breathed out by animals and absorbed by green plants. The plants, in turn, return oxygen to the atmosphere. ( See carbon cycle and respiration.)

notes for carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is also given off in the burning of fossil fuels ( see greenhouse effect).