CARBON DIOXIDE Definition & Meaning

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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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51�Թ� 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

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The process also releases vast amounts of carbon dioxide which contributes to the warming of our planet, yet bottom trawling is not just legal but is actively encouraged by many governments.

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As carbon dioxide crowds the Earth’s atmosphere, the planet not only warms but also generates weather systems that increasingly behave in unstable and unprecedented ways.

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In addition to the public sightings, the team hung traps at 24 locations across the country, luring the insects by the smell of carbon dioxide which mimics human breath.

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It is this material that can be used as a proxy for the amount of planet-warming carbon dioxide stored.

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However, a study Havenith published last week in Communications Psychology found these altered states of consciousness achieved through high-ventilation breathwork were directly associated with reduced levels of carbon dioxide, presumably as a result of hyperventilation.

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carbon dating carbon dioxide snow

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