ethyl alcohol
noun
: a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid C2H5OH that is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also used as a solvent and in fuel : ethanol
Denatured alcohol is simply ethyl alcohol that has been mixed with toxic or nauseating substances, called denaturants (these prevent the alcohol from being consumed).—
Martha Stewart
Martha StewartMade from ethyl alcohol, plant-based compounds and other natural ingredients known to have virucidal properties, this citrus-scented liquid formula fights germs and can help reduce the risk of infection.—J. P. Anderson
J. P. AndersonWhen yeast cells, either cultivated or wild, come into contact with fresh must, especially that of grapes, and metabolize the must's complex natural sugars, ethyl alcohol is created.—advertisement in The New York Times Magazine
advertisement in The New York Times MagazineExamples of ethyl alcohol in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This was similar to the effect of traditional sanitizing gels containing 62% ethyl alcohol.
—New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2025
To suggest that the cartels might import coca leaves to extract cocaine makes about as much sense as suggesting that someone would import Dom Perignon to secure by chemical processing pure extracts of ethyl alcohol.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
According to a medical examiner, Strain died of accidental drowning and ethyl alcohol intoxication.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025
The yeast consumes sugars and produces ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide as byproducts during the process called fermentation – that’s how the bourbon becomes alcoholic.
—Michael W. Crowder, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for ethyl alcohol
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2025
To suggest that the cartels might import coca leaves to extract cocaine makes about as much sense as suggesting that someone would import Dom Perignon to secure by chemical processing pure extracts of ethyl alcohol.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
According to a medical examiner, Strain died of accidental drowning and ethyl alcohol intoxication.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025
The yeast consumes sugars and produces ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide as byproducts during the process called fermentation – that’s how the bourbon becomes alcoholic.
—Michael W. Crowder, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for ethyl alcohol
Cite this Entry
“Ethyl alcohol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethyl%20alcohol. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share