calcium carbide

noun

1. a grayish-black, lumpy, crystalline powder, CaC 2 , usually derived from coke or anthracite by reaction with limestone or quicklime: used chiefly for the generation of acetylene, which it yields upon decomposing in water.

calcium carbide

noun

1. a grey salt of calcium used in the production of acetylene (by its reaction with water) and calcium cyanamide. Formula: CaC 2 Sometimes shortened tocarbide

Word History and Origins

Origin of calcium carbide¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The freight train was carrying calcium carbide, a caustic, flammable chemical compound used in steel manufacturing, among other things.

From New York Times

The statement says the company, which manufactures calcium carbide, is cooperating with authorities to determine how the accident happened.

From Seattle Times

The warehouse had, among other things, been storing 800 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and 500 tonnes of potassium nitrate, as well as 700 tonnes of sodium cyanide and large quantities of calcium carbide.

From Scientific American

There were also unspecified amounts of calcium carbide, a highly flammable chemical that produces acetylene, which is used in welding; and sodium hydrosulfide, an extremely toxic compound used in mining.

From New York Times

Those goods include sodium cyanide and calcium carbide, which generates an explosive gas when it gets wet.

From Wall Street Journal