/fɔːrˈmældɪhaɪd/

for·mal·de·hyde

BrE /fɔːˈmældɪhaɪd/

NAmE /fɔːrˈmældɪhaɪd/

[U]

(symbol CH2O)

a gas with a strong smell

(also specialist for·mal·in

BrE /ˈfɔːməlɪn/

NAmE /ˈfɔːrməlɪn/

)

a liquid made by mixing formaldehyde and water, used for preserving biological, making plastics and as a disinfectant specimens, making plastics and as a disinfectant