oxygen
noun
ox·y·gen ˈäk-si-jən 
often attributive
1
: a chemical element that constitutes 21 percent of the Earth's atmosphere, that is capable of combining with all elements except some noble gases, that is active in physiological processes of almost all known organisms, and that is involved especially in combustion see Chemical Elements Table
2
: something that sustains or fuels
disagreement is the true oxygen of these magazines
Joseph Epstein
Joseph Epstein oxygenless
ˈäk-si-jən-ləs
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web When a pile is aerated, meaning it's exposed to oxygen, methane-producing microbes are not active, so methane is not created, according to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in the Government of Western Australia. Megan Marples, CNN, 14 Sep. 2022 About a year ago, the Walers noticed that Maverick’s blood oxygen levels started to dip, which caused his lips and fingers to start to turn blue, Brad Waler said. Fox News, 13 Sep. 2022 But some, including children with asthma, can become short of breath and have low oxygen levels, requiring hospitalization. Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 When your heart is pumping when jumping rope, your oxygen and blood is traveling faster and more efficiently to your muscles. Tatiana Lampa, Good Housekeeping, 4 Aug. 2022 About 45 minutes after Crovetti posted the SOS call on Facebook, a relative sent another photo of her grandmother, this time hooked up to oxygen in a hospital. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 3 Aug. 2022 Snake plants release their oxygen at night, so consider them for a room where someone is sleeping. Jeanette Marantosstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2022 Its health functions include sensors and apps to measure your blood oxygen and take an ECG. Paris Wolfe, cleveland, 12 July 2022 Newer buildings in the city are required to have sprinkler systems and interior doors that automatically shut to contain smoke and reduce a fire's access to oxygen. NBC News, 10 Jan. 2022 See More
Megan Marples, CNN, 14 Sep. 2022 About a year ago, the Walers noticed that Maverick’s blood oxygen levels started to dip, which caused his lips and fingers to start to turn blue, Brad Waler said. Fox News, 13 Sep. 2022 But some, including children with asthma, can become short of breath and have low oxygen levels, requiring hospitalization. Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 When your heart is pumping when jumping rope, your oxygen and blood is traveling faster and more efficiently to your muscles. Tatiana Lampa, Good Housekeeping, 4 Aug. 2022 About 45 minutes after Crovetti posted the SOS call on Facebook, a relative sent another photo of her grandmother, this time hooked up to oxygen in a hospital. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 3 Aug. 2022 Snake plants release their oxygen at night, so consider them for a room where someone is sleeping. Jeanette Marantosstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2022 Its health functions include sensors and apps to measure your blood oxygen and take an ECG. Paris Wolfe, cleveland, 12 July 2022 Newer buildings in the city are required to have sprinkler systems and interior doors that automatically shut to contain smoke and reduce a fire's access to oxygen. NBC News, 10 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
French oxygène, from Greek oxys, adjective, acidic, literally, sharp + French -gène -gen; akin to Latin acer sharp — more at edge
First Known Use
1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing oxygen
Kids Definition
oxygen
noun
ox·y·gen ˈäk-si-jən
: a chemical element found in the air as a colorless odorless tasteless gas that is necessary for life
Medical Definition
oxygen
noun
ox·y·gen ˈäk-si-jən
: a colorless tasteless odorless gaseous element that constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere and is found in water, in most rocks and minerals, and in numerous organic compounds, that is capable of combining with all elements except the inert gases, that is active in physiological processes, and that is involved especially in combustion processes —symbol O see Chemical Elements Table