View synonyms for carbon dioxide

carbon dioxide

[ kahr-buhn dahy-ok-sahyd ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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.

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 calledcarbonic-acid gas

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: CO 2 .

carbon dioxide

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

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Notes

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 ).

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Word History and Origins

Origin of carbon dioxide¹

First recorded in 1870–75

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Compare Meanings

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

carbon monoxide vs. carbon dioxide

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Example Sentences

The company says the creatures' grazing habits would encourage grasslands to flourish and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide being released from melting permafrost.

From BBC

I offered my loneliness and heartbreak to the live oaks and sycamores, refuse they could make into something useful the same way they convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.

From Los Angeles Times

This happens because carbon dioxide from the air dissolves in rainwater to form carbonic acid - this then percolates through the rock and reacts with it, causing it to dissolve.

From BBC

But, crucially, the amount of ice lost by the end of the century will strongly depend on how much humanity continues to warm the planet by releasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

From BBC

Over almost 18 million years, the mostly steamy climate gradually cooled and carbon dioxide levels declined from an early high.

From Salon

carbon dating carbon dioxide snow

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