diesel

noun

die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

1

: diesel engine

2

: a vehicle driven by a diesel engine

3

: diesel fuel

Examples of diesel in a Sentence

Does your car take diesel or gasoline?

Recent Examples on the Web

The surge in oil prices this year has been accompanied by a rise in gas and diesel prices, putting more pressure on consumers. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

The global diesel refining crunch could lead to high prices and tight supplies for months, roiling industry, analysts warned. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026

The price of diesel, which can have an outsized impact on consumers because it is used in shipping and production, hit an all-time high Friday and has continued to climb since. — Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Gas prices in Florida continue to fluctuate near the $4 mark, while diesel in the state has returned to figures posted during the early stages of the ongoing conflict with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. — News Service Of Florida, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Rudolf Diesel

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diesel

• diesel-electric
• diesel engine
• diesel fuel

Rhymes for diesel

• pedicel

Kids Definition

diesel

noun

die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

1

: diesel engine

2

: a vehicle (as a truck or train) driven by a diesel engine

3

: a fuel designed for use in diesel engines

Etymology

named for Rudolf Diesel 1858–1913 German engineer

Biographical Definition

Diesel

biographical name

Die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

Rudolf 1858–1913 German mechanical engineer