car·bide / ˈkärˌbīd/ • n. Chem. a binary compound of carbon with an element of lower or comparable electronegativity. ∎  calcium carbide (CaC₂), used to generate acetylene by reaction with water and formerly used in portable lamps: [as adj.] a carbide lamp.

carbide Inorganic compound of carbon with metals or other more electropositive elements. Many transition metals form carbides, in which carbon atoms occupy spaces between adjacent atoms in the metal lattice. Some electropositive metals form ionic carbon compounds; the best known is calcium carbide. Carbides are commonly used as abrasives.