- 1(symbol CH2O) a gas with a strong smell
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- 2(technology formalin NAmE//ˈfɔrməlɪn//) a liquid made by mixing formaldehyde and water, used for preserving biological specimens, making plastics, and as a disinfectant His most famous artistic offering consists of a dead shark floating in a tank of formaldehyde.
formaldehyde
nounNAmE//fɔrˈmældəˌhaɪd//, NAmE//fərˈmældəˌhaɪd//
[uncountable]Check pronunciation: formaldehyde