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monoxide

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

noun

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


monoxide British  
/ mɒˈnɒksaɪd /

noun

  1. an oxide that contains one oxygen atom per molecule

    carbon monoxide, CO

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.


Etymology

Origin of monoxide

First recorded in 1865–70; mon- + oxide


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He said a woman and three children were hospitalised "with symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning" in the region after drone debris fell on a house, causing a fire.

From Barron's ● Oct. 18, 2026

In the case of large, multiple-battery fires, they can burn for days, while releasing toxic gases such as hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

Smoke resulting from incomplete burning contains dense, lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

Emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide and dangerous particulate matter increased by 196%, 111%, and 139% respectively.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

“Carbon monoxide plus iron gives the volatile iron carbonyl.”

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

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