ethanol

noun

eth·​a·​nol ˈe-thə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

British also ˈē-

: a colorless volatile flammable liquid C₂H₅OH that is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also used as a solvent and in fuel

called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol

Examples of ethanol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Canada also has held off for now on tariffs against ethanol motor fuel made from corn. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

For gas detection in particular, the training data covers gases including methane, sulfur dioxide, ethanol, R-134a, R-152a and sulfur hexafluoride. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026

The outlet noted that Keith had ketamine, the chemical compound mitragynine — which is found in the herbal extract kratom — nicotine, and ethanol in his body. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2026

For example, a gold catalyst leads to the production of carbon monoxide (CO), while copper produces more complex compounds including alcohols, ethanol and methane (CH4). — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ethanol

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol
• guaiacol

Kids Definition

ethanol

noun

eth·​a·​nol ˈeth-ə-ˌnȯl 

-ˌnōl

: a colorless flammable easily evaporated liquid that is used to dissolve things and that is the substance in fermented and distilled liquors that can make one drunk

called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol

Medical Definition

ethanol

noun

eth·​a·​nol ˈeth-ə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

: a colorless volatile flammable liquid C₂H₅OH that is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also used as a solvent

called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol

see alcohol sense 1