carbon cycle
noun
1
: the cycle of carbon in the earth's ecosystems in which carbon dioxide is fixed by photosynthetic organisms to form organic nutrients and is ultimately restored to the inorganic state (as by respiration, protoplasmic decay, or combustion)
2
: a cycle of thermonuclear reactions in which four hydrogen atoms synthesize into a helium atom by the catalytic action of carbon with the release of nuclear energy and which is held to be the source of most of the energy radiated by the sun and stars
Examples of carbon cycle in a Sentence
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Every dollar paid to a local grower instead of a national grocery chain is a vote for a more sensible food system, bringing us closer to rebalancing our out-of-kilter carbon cycle.
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Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Possible causes include volcanic activity associated with the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea, leading to climatic changes, ocean acidification and disruptions in the carbon cycle.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Even the carbon cycle could be affected, as there will be fewer tiny life forms absorbing carbon dioxide.
—Jude Coleman, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2024
This is the biggest methane sink, or source of loss, in Earth’s carbon cycle.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 24 July 2024
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Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Possible causes include volcanic activity associated with the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea, leading to climatic changes, ocean acidification and disruptions in the carbon cycle.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Even the carbon cycle could be affected, as there will be fewer tiny life forms absorbing carbon dioxide.
—Jude Coleman, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2024
This is the biggest methane sink, or source of loss, in Earth’s carbon cycle.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for carbon cycle
Dictionary Entries Near carbon cycle
Cite this Entry
“Carbon cycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20cycle. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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