synthesis gas
noun Chemistry.
any of several gaseous mixtures consisting essentially of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, used in the synthesis of chemical compounds, as ammonia and alcohols.
Origin of synthesis gas
First recorded in 1940–45
Words nearby synthesis gas
synteresis,
synth,
synth-pop,
synthase,
synthesis,
synthesis gas,
synthesize,
synthesizer,
synthespian,
synthetase,
synthetic
British Dictionary definitions for synthesis gas
synthesis gas
noun chem
a mixture of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen formerly made by using water gas and reacting it with steam to enrich the proportion of hydrogen for use in the synthesis of ammonia
a similar mixture of gases made by steam reforming natural gas, used for synthesizing organic chemicals and as a fuel