carbon dioxide

American  

[kahr-buhn dahy-ok-sahyd] / ˈkɑr bən daɪˈɒk saɪd /

noun

1. 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.

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carbon dioxide British  

noun

1. Also called: carbonic-acid gas. 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

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carbon dioxide Scientific  

1. 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 .

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carbon dioxide Cultural  

1. A compound made up of molecules containing one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.

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Discover More

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).

Etymology

Origin of carbon dioxide

First recorded in 1870–75

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Compare meaning

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

See Examples For:

carbon dioxide

Others are interested in smaller carbon footprints from using wood, which stores carbon dioxide absorbed by trees.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2026

Instead of relying on photosynthesis - a process involving sunlight, water and carbon dioxide - to create food and oxygen to survive, the flowers can also take energy from fungus in woodland soils.

From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2026

The main driver of rising global temperatures has been the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, largely caused by burning fossil fuels.

From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2026

They explored several possible environmental consequences, including sunlight being blocked by dust and ash and rising carbon dioxide levels associated with volcanic eruptions.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 30, 2026

To begin with, slash-and-burn simply does not produce enough charcoal to make terra preta—the carbon mostly goes into the air in the form of carbon dioxide.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

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