ethylene
noun
eth·yl·ene
ˈe-thə-ˌlēn 
1
: a colorless flammable gaseous unsaturated hydrocarbon C2H4 that is found in coal gas, can be produced by pyrolysis of petroleum hydrocarbons, and occurs in plants functioning especially as a natural growth regulator that promotes the ripening of fruit
2
: a divalent hydrocarbon group C2H4 derived from ethane
Examples of ethylene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By filtering out ethylene gas, ozone, and airborne microbes, clean air solutions can significantly extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.
—
Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Last June, a local chemical plant operated by Westlake Vinyls leaked 153 pounds of ethylene dichloride, a dangerous carcinogen, according to EPA records.
—Lisa Song, ProPublica, 5 Feb. 2025
Cooler temperatures slow the release of ethylene gas, extending the life of your avocados by three to five days.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
Wrapping the stems in plastic traps the ethylene gas and prevents it from spreading to the rest of the fruit, slowing down the ripening process.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ethylene
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Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Last June, a local chemical plant operated by Westlake Vinyls leaked 153 pounds of ethylene dichloride, a dangerous carcinogen, according to EPA records.
—Lisa Song, ProPublica, 5 Feb. 2025
Cooler temperatures slow the release of ethylene gas, extending the life of your avocados by three to five days.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
Wrapping the stems in plastic traps the ethylene gas and prevents it from spreading to the rest of the fruit, slowing down the ripening process.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ethylene
Cite this Entry
“Ethylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethylene. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ethylene
noun
eth·yl·ene
ˈeth-ə-ˌlēn
: a colorless flammable gas found in coal gas or obtained from petroleum and used to ripen fruits or as an anesthetic
Medical Definition
ethylene
noun
eth·yl·ene
ˈeth-ə-ˌlēn
1
: a colorless flammable gaseous unsaturated hydrocarbon C2H4 that is found in coal gas, can be produced by pyrolysis of petroleum hydrocarbons, is used in medicine as a general inhalation anesthetic, and occurs in plants functioning especially as a natural growth regulator that promotes the ripening of fruit
called also ethene
2
: a divalent hydrocarbon group C2H4 derived from ethane
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