ketone

American  

[kee-tohn] / ˈki toʊn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. any of a class of organic compounds containing a carbonyl group, CO, attached to two alkyl groups, as CH 3 COCH 3 or CH 3 COC 2 H 5 .

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adjective

1. containing the ketone group.

ketone British  

/ ˈkiːtəʊn /

noun

1. any of a class of compounds with the general formula R′COR, where R and R′ are alkyl or aryl groups See also acetone

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ketone Scientific  

/ kē′tōn′ /

1. Any of a class of organic compounds having the general formula RCOR|||PRIMARY_STRESS|||, where R and R|||PRIMARY_STRESS||| are hydrocarbon radicals that are both attached to the carbon atom of the carbonyl (CO) group. Acetone is a ketone.

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Other Word Forms

• ketonic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of ketone

1850–55; < German Keton, aphetic alteration of Aceton acetone

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Explanation

Ketones are chemicals produced by the body when it burns fat for energy rather than sugar. When doctors find ketones in a patient's blood, it's sometimes a symptom of diabetes. If your body doesn't have enough glucose (or sugar), your liver will produce ketones by breaking down fat. When the ketones are released into your bloodstream, your body can use them as an alternate fuel. This naturally happens at night while you sleep, as well as when you're not eating a balanced diet or regular meals. People with type 1 diabetes produce ketones due to a lack of insulin.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ketone

This reaction adds an oxygen atom to a type of organic molecule known as a ketone, converting it into an ester or lactone.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

The results also have implications for commercial ketone products.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026

"This is not just about ketone bodies," he said.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 2, 2024

Magistrates were told how she had Type 1 diabetes, and often vomited when her ketone levels were imbalanced, sometimes causing her to need hospital.

From BBC ● Nov. 21, 2024

By the action of hydroxylamine or phenylhydrazine on aldehydes or ketones, condensation occurs between the carbonyl oxygen of the aldehyde or ketone and the amino group of the hydroxylamine or hydrazine.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various

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