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
Examples of ethylene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
All of these fruits give off lots of ethylene gas, which can cause lemons in their vicinity to spoil faster.
—
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Six petrochemicals — ethylene, propylene, butylene, benzene, toluene and xylenes — are the major foundations of plastics and synthetic materials like nylon and polyesters, which manufacturers in turn use to design and deliver products.
—Anne D’innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Six petrochemicals - ethylene, propylene, butylene, benzene, toluene and xylenes - are the major foundations of plastics and synthetic materials like nylon and polyesters, which manufacturers in turn use to design and deliver products.
—CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Avoid storing cauliflower next to produce that produce ethylene gas (such as apples, melons, peaches, plums, pears, or mangoes), which will speed up the ripening (and eventual rotting) process.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ethylene
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.
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Six petrochemicals — ethylene, propylene, butylene, benzene, toluene and xylenes — are the major foundations of plastics and synthetic materials like nylon and polyesters, which manufacturers in turn use to design and deliver products.
—Anne D’innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Six petrochemicals - ethylene, propylene, butylene, benzene, toluene and xylenes - are the major foundations of plastics and synthetic materials like nylon and polyesters, which manufacturers in turn use to design and deliver products.
—CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Avoid storing cauliflower next to produce that produce ethylene gas (such as apples, melons, peaches, plums, pears, or mangoes), which will speed up the ripening (and eventual rotting) process.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ethylene
Cite this Entry
“Ethylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethylene. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ethylene
noun
eth·yl·ene
ˈeth-ə-ˌlēn
: 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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
