carbon monoxide

American  

noun

1. a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas, CO, that burns with a pale-blue flame, produced when carbon burns with insufficient air: used chiefly in organic synthesis, metallurgy, and in the preparation of metal carbonyls, as nickel carbonyl.

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carbon monoxide British  

noun

1. a colourless odourless poisonous flammable gas formed when carbon compounds burn in insufficient air and produced by the action of steam on hot carbon: used as a reducing agent in metallurgy and as a fuel. Formula: CO

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Etymology

Origin of carbon monoxide

First recorded in 1870–75

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Compare meaning

How does carbon-monoxide compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• carbon monoxide vs. carbon dioxide

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

carbon monoxide

An important safety concern involved carbon monoxide already present in the bloodstream.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 4, 2026

He said a woman and three children were hospitalised "with symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning" in the region after drone debris fell on a house, causing a fire.

From Barron's ● Oct. 18, 2026

EPA officials said on a call Monday that the change will not include pollutants that directly harm health such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, which are regulated separately.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

Smoke resulting from incomplete burning contains dense, lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

With the apartment windows open, you can taste the carbon monoxide rising from the street below.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

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