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

Recent Examples on the Web

Gulf producers — Saudi Arabia's SABIC and Ma'aden above all — are among the world's dominant exporters of ammonia, methanol, sulfur, and sulfuric acid. — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Scientists in Japan have recently developed a copper nanocluster that can convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into methanol while greatly reducing unwanted byproducts. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026

While the students were cleaning, methanol used for the demonstration had accidentally spilled and ignited, resulting in injuries to the students, said district Superintendent Denise Rugani. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 28 May 2026

That’s a handy vintage mix of 50% methanol, 40% premium unleaded and 10% toluene. — New Atlas, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for methanol

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

Kids 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 

: 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