carbon monoxide: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Scientific, Safety
Quick answer
What does “carbon monoxide” mean?
A colourless, odourless, poisonous gas formed by incomplete combustion of carbon.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A colourless, odourless, poisonous gas formed by incomplete combustion of carbon.
A toxic gas (chemical formula CO) that binds to haemoglobin in blood, preventing oxygen transport, causing asphyxiation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical connotations of danger and toxicity.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties due to universal safety and scientific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “carbon monoxide” in a Sentence
[Verb] + carbon monoxide: produce, emit, release, detect, monitor, inhale, be poisoned by[Adjective] + carbon monoxide: high, low, dangerous, fatalCarbon monoxide + [Noun]: carbon monoxide poisoning, carbon monoxide alarmVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “carbon monoxide” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- carbon-monoxide poisoning
- carbon-monoxide detector
American English
- carbon monoxide poisoning
- carbon monoxide detector
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the context of product safety regulations and liability, e.g., 'The recall was due to a risk of carbon monoxide leakage.'
Academic
In chemistry, environmental science, and medical papers discussing toxicity, combustion processes, or public health.
Everyday
Primarily in domestic safety contexts, e.g., discussing alarms, faulty boilers, or car exhausts.
Technical
In engineering manuals, safety data sheets, and forensic reports detailing causes of death or environmental monitoring.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “carbon monoxide”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “carbon monoxide”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “carbon monoxide”
- Incorrectly pluralising (*carbon monoxides). Confusing with carbon dioxide (CO2). Misspelling as 'monoxide' or 'monooxide'. Using as a countable noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, carbon monoxide is completely odourless, which is why it is so dangerous.
Faulty or poorly ventilated gas boilers, stoves, heaters, fireplaces, and car engines running in attached garages.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas from incomplete burning. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a natural, generally non-toxic gas from complete burning and breathing, though high concentrations can be harmful.
Immediately open windows and doors, evacuate everyone from the premises, turn off fuel-burning appliances if safe to do so, and call emergency services from outside.
A colourless, odourless, poisonous gas formed by incomplete combustion of carbon.
Carbon monoxide is usually formal, technical, scientific, safety in register.
Carbon monoxide: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɑː.bən məˈnɒk.saɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːr.bən məˈnɑːk.saɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CARBON (like in coal) + MONO (one) + OXIDE (oxygen compound). It's carbon with only ONE oxygen atom, unlike carbon DIOxide which has two. This 'mono' structure makes it deadly.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE SILENT KILLER, THE INVISIBLE THREAT.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary danger of carbon monoxide?