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

At the time, Clarke died of what appeared as an accidental overdose of a mix of drugs including morphine, codeine, ethanol and gabapentin, an anticonvulsant medication. —Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 20 Nov. 2025

This keeps sweat and accompanying odor at bay for up to 48 hours, contains essential moisturizers with natural oils, and has zero percent alcohol (ethanol) to help skin recover from shaving irritation. —Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025

The California Highway Patrol's Dublin division said the tanker was carrying ethanol, which needs to be offloaded from the tanker before it can be flipped upright. —CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025

The lawsuit claims Costco is violating laws in both Mexico and the United States because the tequila allegedly contains ethanol from other sources. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ethanol

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• fireball
• gasohol
• 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