Definitions

1. noun

A colorless, flammable, and highly reactive gaseous hydrocarbon used in the manufacture of polyethylene, as a ripening agent for fruit, and in the production of antifreeze.

“The factory used ethylene to speed up the ripening process of bananas.”

2. chemical compound

A colorless, highly flammable, and highly reactive gaseous hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C2H4.

“Ethylene is used in the production of plastics and antifreeze.”

3. verb

To treat with ethylene in order to speed up the ripening process, typically used in agriculture and horticulture.

“The farmer decided to ethylene the apples to make them ripen faster.”