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
ethylenic
ˌe-thə-ˈlē-nik
adjective -ˈle-nik
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The ethylene gas will cause fruits and vegetables sharing the refrigerator to ripen and rot more quickly. 
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2022 Sinopec Shanghai has crude oil processing capacity of 16 million tons a year and ethylene production capacity of 700,000 tons a year, according to its website. Joyu Wang, WSJ, 18 June 2022 For example, the North American ethylene producer with the lowest Scope 3 emissions has about a 21% lower carbon footprint than the most carbon-intensive, according to ICIS and Carbon Minds analysis. Jeremy Pafford, Forbes, 30 June 2022 The database will shed light on 68% of CO2 emissions for ethylene, propylene, styrene and more, helping overcome the reporting challenges facing the chemical sector. Jeremy Pafford, Forbes, 30 June 2022 To help bananas ripen faster, place them in a paper bag where the ethylene gas can accumulate. Beth Branch, Country Living, 26 May 2022 Some Electrolux refrigerators have smart crisper technology that removes excess moisture and keeps dry air out; and an ethylene absorber reduces the gas emitted by fruits and vegetables that causes spoiling. Deborah Wince-smith, Forbes, 19 May 2022 In fact, some ethylene producers should be stored alone to avoid anything becoming unintentionally overripe. Mike Rose, cleveland, 6 Apr. 2022 The foam was called ethylene-vinyl acetate, or EVA, and was first applied in 1975 to a Brooks shoe called the Villanova (and Lady Villanova). Outside Online, 1 Mar. 2015 See More
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2022 Sinopec Shanghai has crude oil processing capacity of 16 million tons a year and ethylene production capacity of 700,000 tons a year, according to its website. Joyu Wang, WSJ, 18 June 2022 For example, the North American ethylene producer with the lowest Scope 3 emissions has about a 21% lower carbon footprint than the most carbon-intensive, according to ICIS and Carbon Minds analysis. Jeremy Pafford, Forbes, 30 June 2022 The database will shed light on 68% of CO2 emissions for ethylene, propylene, styrene and more, helping overcome the reporting challenges facing the chemical sector. Jeremy Pafford, Forbes, 30 June 2022 To help bananas ripen faster, place them in a paper bag where the ethylene gas can accumulate. Beth Branch, Country Living, 26 May 2022 Some Electrolux refrigerators have smart crisper technology that removes excess moisture and keeps dry air out; and an ethylene absorber reduces the gas emitted by fruits and vegetables that causes spoiling. Deborah Wince-smith, Forbes, 19 May 2022 In fact, some ethylene producers should be stored alone to avoid anything becoming unintentionally overripe. Mike Rose, cleveland, 6 Apr. 2022 The foam was called ethylene-vinyl acetate, or EVA, and was first applied in 1975 to a Brooks shoe called the Villanova (and Lady Villanova). Outside Online, 1 Mar. 2015 See More Word History
First Known Use
1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing ethylene
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