phosgene

[ fos-jeen, foz- ]

/ ˈfɒs dʒin, ˈfɒz- /

Save This Word!

noun Chemistry.

a poisonous, colorless, very volatile liquid or suffocating gas, COCl2, a chemical-warfare compound: used chiefly in organic synthesis.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also called carbon oxychloride, carbonyl chloride, chloroformyl chloride.

Origin of phosgene

1805–15; <Greek phôs light (contraction of pháos) + -genēs-gen

Words nearby phosgene

-phoresis, phoresy, phormium, phoronid, -phorous, phosgene, phosgenite, phosph-, phosphagen, phosphamidon, phosphatase

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

How to use phosgene in a sentence

In this bombardment he used a considerable number of shells containing phosgene gas.
The History of the 51st (Highland) Division 1914-1918|Frederick William Bewsher
This relief was considerably interrupted by a further lavish use of phosgene by the Germans.
The History of the 51st (Highland) Division 1914-1918|Frederick William Bewsher
Construction of the phosgene plant at Edgewood was begun on March 1, 1918.
America's Munitions 1917-1918|Benedict Crowell
England received 900 tons of our chlorpicrin and 368 tons of American phosgene.
America's Munitions 1917-1918|Benedict Crowell

In addition to this we shipped 18,600 Livens drums loaded with phosgene.
America's Munitions 1917-1918|Benedict Crowell

British Dictionary definitions for phosgene

phosgene

/ (ˈfɒzdʒiːn) /

noun

a colourless easily liquefied poisonous gas, carbonyl chloride, with an odour resembling that of new-mown hay: used in chemical warfare as a lethal choking agent and in the manufacture of pesticides, dyes, and polyurethane resins. Formula: COCl 2

Word Origin for phosgene

C19: from Greek phōs light + -gene, variant of -gen

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

Scientific definitions for phosgene

phosgene

[ fŏs′jēn′ ]

A colorless, volatile gas that has the odor of freshly mowed hay. When it reacts with water (as in the lungs during respiration), phosgene produces hydrochloric acid and carbon monoxide. It is used in making glass, dyes, resins, and plastics, and was used as a poisonous gas during World War I. Also called carbonyl chloride. Chemical formula: COCl2.