methanol
noun
meth·a·nol
ˈme-thə-ˌnȯl 
-ˌnōl
: a light volatile flammable poisonous liquid alcohol CH3OH used especially as a solvent, antifreeze, or denaturant for ethanol and in the synthesis of other chemicals
Examples of methanol in a Sentence
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For instance, the system relies on methanol rather than pure water, and long-term storage beyond laboratory timescales has not yet been demonstrated.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Dec. 2025
Researchers have also experimented with storing energy by compressing air, heating up blocks or sand, using hydrogen or methanol, pressurizing water deep underground, and even dangling heavy objects in the air and dropping them.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Dec. 2025
Brito and the third friend were first taken to the University Hospital in Petrolina, then transferred to regional hospitals where they were given fomepizole, an antidote for methanol poisoning, the outlets reported.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
On Earth, methyl formate and acetaldehyde are used as industrial chemicals, methanol and ethanol are alcohols, and acetic acid is in vinegar.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 Nov. 2025
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Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Dec. 2025
Researchers have also experimented with storing energy by compressing air, heating up blocks or sand, using hydrogen or methanol, pressurizing water deep underground, and even dangling heavy objects in the air and dropping them.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Dec. 2025
Brito and the third friend were first taken to the University Hospital in Petrolina, then transferred to regional hospitals where they were given fomepizole, an antidote for methanol poisoning, the outlets reported.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
On Earth, methyl formate and acetaldehyde are used as industrial chemicals, methanol and ethanol are alcohols, and acetic acid is in vinegar.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for methanol
Cite this Entry
“Methanol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methanol. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
methanol
noun
meth·a·nol
ˈmeth-ə-ˌnȯl
-ˌnōl
: a light flammable poisonous liquid alcohol that consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and is used especially as antifreeze and to dissolve things
Medical Definition
methanol
noun
meth·a·nol
ˈmeth-ə-ˌnȯl
-ˌnōl
-ˌnōl
: a light volatile pungent flammable poisonous liquid alcohol CH3OH formed in the destructive distillation of wood or made synthetically and used especially as a solvent, antifreeze, or denaturant for ethanol and in the synthesis of other chemicals
called also carbinol, methyl alcohol, wood alcohol
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