ethephon

[ eth-uh-fon ]

nounChemistry.
  1. a solid compound, C2H6ClO3P, used as a growth regulator to accelerate the ripening of tomatoes, citrus fruit, apples, and other crops.

Origin of ethephon

1
First recorded in 1970–75; shortening of the chemical name 2-chloroethanephosphonic acid;see chlor-2, ethane, phospho-, -onic

Words Nearby ethephon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023