ethylene

noun

eth·​yl·​ene ˈe-thə-ˌlēn How to pronounce ethylene (audio)
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 How to pronounce ethylene (audio) -ˈle-nik How to pronounce ethylene (audio)
adjective

Examples of ethylene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fruits And Vegetables To Avoid Storing Together The culprit behind why some fruits and vegetables shouldn’t be stored together is ethylene. — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026 The color break is a result of the tomatoes releasing ethylene gas. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026 Adding a banana raises the ethylene concentration, since bananas release the gas too. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 The bag is made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), a type of rubbery, flexible plastic that’s water-resistant, which adds to its practicality. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ethylene

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ethylene was in 1849

Phrases Containing ethylene

Rhymes for ethylene

See All Rhymes for ethylene

Browse Nearby Words

ethyl cyanide
ethylene
ethylene chlorohydrin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ethylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethylene. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ethylene

noun
eth·​yl·​ene ˈeth-ə-ˌlēn How to pronounce ethylene (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce ethylene (audio)
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
ethylenic
ˌeth-ə-ˈlē-nik How to pronounce ethylene (audio) -ˈlen-ik How to pronounce ethylene (audio)
adjective
ethylenically
-ˈlē-ni-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce ethylene (audio) -ˈlen-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce ethylene (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on ethylene

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ethylene

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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