carbon dioxide

American  

[kahr-buhn dahy-ok-sahyd] / ˈkɑr bən daɪˈɒk saɪd /

noun

1. a colorless, odorless, incombustible gas, CO 2 , 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.

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carbon dioxide British  

noun

1. Also called: carbonic-acid gas.  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

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carbon dioxide Scientific  

1. 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: CO ₂ .

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carbon dioxide Cultural  

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

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Discover More

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.)

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

Etymology

Origin of carbon dioxide

First recorded in 1870–75

Compare meaning

How does carbon-dioxide compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• carbon monoxide vs. carbon dioxide

Example Sentences

Carmakers will be expected to compensate for the extra emissions created by these vehicles by using biofuels and so-called e-fuels, which are synthesised from captured carbon dioxide.

From BBC

The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is influenced by the slow exchange of carbon among Earth's interior, the oceans, and the air over many millions of years.

From Science Daily

Making hydrogen with natural gas can also be low-carbon, if the carbon dioxide produced is captured and stored, as Exxon was prepared to do.

From Barron's

The ocean is the Earth's largest carbon sink, soaking up roughly a third of human carbon dioxide emissions and helping to keep global temperatures in check.

From Science Daily

“Now. While I set some of this up, let’s talk about carbon dioxide, huh? Carbon dioxide’s fun.”

From Literature