chlorofluorocarbon

[ klawr-oh-floor-oh-kahr-buhn, -flawr-; klohr-oh-floor-oh-kahr-buhn, -flohr- ]

noun

1. any of several volatile, inert, saturated compounds of carbon, fluorine, chlorine, and hydrogen: used as refrigerants, foam-blowing agents, solvents, and, formerly, as aerosol propellants until scientists became concerned about depletion of the atmospheric ozone layer.

chlorofluorocarbon

/ ˌklɔːrəˌflʊərəʊˈkɑːbən /

noun

1. chem any of various gaseous compounds of carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine, used as refrigerants, aerosol propellants, solvents, and in foam: some cause a breakdown of ozone in the earth's atmosphere CFC

chlorofluorocarbon

/ klôr′ō-flr′ō-kär′bən /

1. A fluorocarbon containing chlorine. Chlorofluorocarbons are destructive to the Earth's ozone layer. For this reason, the production and use of chlorofluorocarbons has been sharply reduced in recent years.

Word History and Origins

Origin of chlorofluorocarbon¹

First recorded in 1945–50; chloro- ² + fluorocarbon

Example Sentences

The 1987 Montreal Protocol, phasing out the use of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons, has long been seen as one of the environmental movement’s great success stories.

From Time

In 1985, scientists discovered a hole in the ozone layer, created by chlorofluorocarbons in the stratosphere.

From Science News

In 1987, the Montreal Protocol banned the production of chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, that were rapidly depleting the ozone layer and damaging forests and croplands.

From Vox

In 1987, dozens of nations adopted the Montreal Protocol, agreeing to phase out the use of chlorofluorocarbons and other chemicals used in refrigerants, solvents, and other industrial products that were breaking down Earth’s protective ozone layer.

From MIT Technology Review