formaldehyde

[ fawr-mal-duh-hahyd, fer- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, toxic, potentially carcinogenic, water-soluble gas, CH 2 O, having a suffocating odor, usually derived from methyl alcohol by oxidation: used chiefly in aqueous solution, as a disinfectant and preservative, and in the manufacture of various resins and plastics.

formaldehyde

/ fɔːˈmældɪˌhaɪd /

noun

1. a colourless poisonous irritating gas with a pungent characteristic odour, made by the oxidation of methanol and used as formalin and in the manufacture of synthetic resins. Formula: HCHO Systematic namemethanal

formaldehyde

/ fôr-măl′də-hīd′ /

1. A colorless gas having a sharp, suffocating odor. It is used in making plastics and, when dissolved in a solution of water and methanol, to preserve biological specimens. Chemical formula: CH 2 O.

Word History and Origins

Origin of formaldehyde¹

1870–75; form(ic) + aldehyde; modeled on German Formaldehyd

Word History and Origins

Origin of formaldehyde¹

C19: form ( ic ) + aldehyde ; on the model of German Formaldehyd

Example Sentences

Made with poliovirus that had been treated with formaldehyde, the virus could no longer cause harm, but the body could still mount an immune response against it.

From Science News

An aged mobile home can be rife with toxic VOCs, including formaldehyde.

From Washington Post

This material contains chemicals including formaldehyde, which has been shown to significantly worsen indoor air quality.

From Time

They transcend the cutting of flesh under the stench of formaldehyde.

From Nautilus

The setup also breaks down the asthma-inducing formaldehyde that seeps out of some building materials and cleaning products.

From Popular-Science

In the raids that accompanied the arrests, police also found jars filled with formaldehyde containing severed fingers.

From The Daily Beast

Damien Hirst suspended sharks and cows in formaldehyde, but Tracey Emin had “the bed.”

From The Daily Beast

In the formaldehyde vitrine, the shirtless dancer meets a fellow prey.

From The Daily Beast

However studies have found dangerous compounds like benzene and formaldehyde in inhaled or secondhand vapor.

From The Daily Beast

Any idea why it tasted like some combination of radiator fluid and formaldehyde?

From The Daily Beast

Of the former, salt and sugar are examples; of the latter, formaldehyde and possibly benzoic acid.

From Project Gutenberg

The substances commonly used are carbolic acid, formalin or formaldehyde, lysol, and bichloride of mercury.

From Project Gutenberg

Formaldehyde, boric acid or salicylic acid may be added to preserve the milk.

From Project Gutenberg

A violet coloration at the union of the two liquids indicates the presence of formaldehyde.

From Project Gutenberg

If formaldehyde is present there will be a crimson zone at the plane of union of the solutions.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• vinegar