oxygen

[ok-si-juhn]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, odorless, gaseous element constituting about one-fifth of the volume of the atmosphere and present in a combined state in nature. It is the supporter of combustion in air and was the standard of atomic, combining, and molecular weights until 1961, when carbon 12 became the new standard. O; 15.9994; 8; density: 1.4290 grams/liter at 0°C and 760 millimeter pressure.

oxygen

/ ɒkˈsɪdʒɪnəs, ˌɒksɪˈdʒɛnɪk, ˈɒksɪdʒən /

noun

1. 1. a colourless odourless highly reactive gaseous element: the most abundant element in the earth's crust (49.2 per cent). It is essential for aerobic respiration and almost all combustion and is widely used in industry. Symbol: O; atomic no: 8; atomic wt: 15.9994; valency: 2; density: 1.429 kg/m³; melting pt: –218.79°C; boiling pt: –182.97°C

   2. ( as modifier )

      an oxygen mask

oxygen

1. A nonmetallic element that exists in its free form as a colorless, odorless gas and makes up about 21 percent of the Earth's atmosphere. It is the most abundant element in the Earth's crust and occurs in many compounds, including water, carbon dioxide, and iron ore. Oxygen combines with most elements, is required for combustion, and is essential for life in most organisms. Atomic number 8; atomic weight 15.9994; melting point −218.8°C; boiling point −182.9°C; gas density at 0°C 1.429 grams per liter; valence 2.

2. See Periodic Table

oxygen

1. An element, normally a gas, that makes up about one-fifth of the atmosphere of the Earth. Oxygen is usually found as a molecule made up of two atoms. Its symbol is O.

Oxygen is a waste product of green plants and photosynthesis.

When we breathe in oxygen, it is carried by the hemoglobin in our blood throughout the body, where it is used to generate energy by oxidation. (See respiration.)

Other Word Forms

• oxygenic adjective
• oxygenous adjective
• oxygenicity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of oxygen¹

First recorded in 1780–90; from French oxygène, equivalent to oxy- + -gène; oxy- ¹, -gen

Word History

In 1786, the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier coined a term for the element oxygen (oxygène in French). He used Greek words for the coinage: oxy– means “sharp,” and –gen means “producing.” Oxygen was called the “sharp-producing” element because it was thought to be essential for making acids. Lavoisier also coined the name of the element hydrogen, the “water-producing” element, in 1788. Soon after, in 1791, another French chemist, J. A. Chaptal, introduced the word nitrogen, the “niter-producing” element, referring to its discovery from an analysis of nitric acid.

Example Sentences

The extent to which her position on the conflict cost her the election is difficult to quantify, but it certainly cost her important votes in Michigan and took up oxygen during her campaign.

From Salon

"This has led to reduced dissolved oxygen in water, and isolated pools in smaller streams, which are all conditions that can cause fish distress and mortality."

From BBC

A heady mix of oxygen, Pringles and jelly beans helped propel Kirsty to the "death zone", where oxygen levels are insufficient to support human life, and the summit.

From BBC

Another local, who did not want to give his name, said he had witnessed three "severely burned" people being doused by emergency services and given oxygen.

From BBC

The researchers were able to measure carbon, oxygen, strontium and lead isotopes from the tooth which revealed changes to the animal's diet with the seasons and showed seasonal food sources came from different geological areas.

From BBC