gasoline

noun

gas·​o·​line ˈga-sə-ˌlēn How to pronounce gasoline (audio)
ˌga-sə-ˈlēn,
 also  -zə-
variants or less commonly gasolene
: a volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture used as a fuel especially for internal combustion engines and usually blended from several products of natural gas and petroleum
gasolinic adjective

Examples of gasoline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Now that much of the nation has begun the transition to cheaper winter gasoline and with driving demand seasonally tapering off as temperatures dip, gas prices face additional downward pressure. Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025 The engine runs on regular unleaded gasoline, eliminating the need for costly aviation fuel. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025 That's $400 a month in utility and gasoline savings that could keep adding up, 15 years after the Green Idea House was finished. Jeff Brady, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025 Newsom’s long-overdue acknowledgement of a pending gasoline and price crisis — together with the Legislature’s last-minute actions — are a start but also a piecemeal approach to addressing a critical problem. Michael Mische, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gasoline

Word History

Etymology

gas entry 1 + -ol entry 2 + -ine entry 2 or -ene

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gasoline was in 1865

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gasoline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gasoline. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

gasoline

noun
gas·​o·​line ˈgas-ə-ˌlēn How to pronounce gasoline (audio)
ˌgas-ə-ˈlēn
: a flammable liquid produced usually by blending products from natural gas and petroleum and used especially as a fuel for engines

More from Merriam-Webster on gasoline

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