chlorofluorocarbon

[ klawr-oh-floor-oh-kahr-buhn, -flawr-; klohr-oh-floor-oh-kahr-buhn, -flohr- ]

noun

1. any of several volatile, inert, saturated compounds of carbon, fluorine, chlorine, and hydrogen: used as refrigerants, foam-blowing agents, solvents, and, formerly, as aerosol propellants until scientists became concerned about depletion of the atmospheric ozone layer.

chlorofluorocarbon

/ ˌklɔːrəˌflʊərəʊˈkɑːbən /

noun

1. chem any of various gaseous compounds of carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine, used as refrigerants, aerosol propellants, solvents, and in foam: some cause a breakdown of ozone in the earth's atmosphere CFC

chlorofluorocarbon

/ klôr′ō-flr′ō-kär′bən /

1. A fluorocarbon containing chlorine. Chlorofluorocarbons are destructive to the Earth's ozone layer. For this reason, the production and use of chlorofluorocarbons has been sharply reduced in recent years.

Word History and Origins

Origin of chlorofluorocarbon¹

First recorded in 1945–50; chloro- ² + fluorocarbon

Example Sentences

A large group of ozone depleting chemicals were responsible - primarily CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons - that were used as refrigerants.

From BBC

In Earth's atmosphere, CO2 and chlorofluorocarbon are the main factors.

From Science Daily

The ozone layer came under threat from chlorofluorocarbons in the 1980s, and only coordinated, sustained global efforts of governments and corporations have begun to bear fruit in repairing and replenishing it.

From Science Daily

Before the 1980s, the primary coolants used in refrigerators were chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs.

From Salon

The international agreement to phase out ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons is widely regarded as one of the most successful environmental treaties of all time.

From Scientific American