Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling gas, used especially to preserve parts of animals or plants for biological study.
formaldehyde in British English
(fɔːˈmældɪˌhaɪd)
noun
a colourless poisonous irritating gas with a pungent characteristic odour, made by the oxidation of methanol and used as formalin and in the manufacture of synthetic resins. Formula: HCHO
Systematic name: methanal
Word origin
C19: form(ic) + aldehyde; on the model of German Formaldehyd
formaldehyde in American English
(fɔrˈmældəˌhaɪd; fərˈmældəˌhaɪd)
noun
a pungent gas, HCHO, used in solution as a strong disinfectant and preservative, and in the manufacture of synthetic resins, dyes, etc.
Word origin
formic + aldehyde
Examples of 'formaldehyde' in a sentence
formaldehyde
These works contained a very dilute formaldehyde solution that was contained within sealed tanks.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The 46-year-old is famous for exhibiting animals in formaldehyde and skull sculptures.
The Sun (2009)
If you can't live without those lashes, avoid products containing formaldehyde.