monoxide

American  

[mon-ok-sahyd, muh-nok-] / mɒnˈɒk saɪd, məˈnɒk- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. an oxide containing one oxygen atom in each molecule.

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monoxide British  

/ mɒˈnɒksaɪd /

noun

1. an oxide that contains one oxygen atom per molecule

   carbon monoxide, CO

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monoxide Scientific  

/ mə-nŏk′sīd′ /

1. A compound consisting of two elements, one of which is a single oxygen atom. Carbon monoxide, for example, contains a carbon atom bound to a single oxygen atom.

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Etymology

Origin of monoxide

First recorded in 1865–70; mon- + oxide

Example Sentences

A rom-com need not be a sparkling shelf covered with bon-bons, but it shouldn’t be a nauseating cloud of carbon monoxide that makes you want to flee.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

This toxic smoke can include carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

The survey detected dozens of molecules, including relatively simple ones such as silicon monoxide as well as more complex organic compounds like methanol, acetone or ethanol.

From Science Daily • Mar. 5, 2026

Det Chief Insp Ben Robinson said that although the post-mortem examinations, which were held on Sunday, were yet to establish a cause, carbon monoxide poisoning remained a primary line of inquiry.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 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