diesel

noun

die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

1

: diesel engine

2

: a vehicle driven by a diesel engine

3

: diesel fuel

Examples of diesel in a Sentence

Does your car take diesel or gasoline?

Recent Examples on the Web

Surging gas prices are squeezing low- and middle-income households — Americans have spent $45 billion more on gasoline and diesel during the war than over the same period last year — while boosting the coffers of energy firms, The Wall Street Journal reported. —Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 17 May 2026

The lack of diesel has stalled the agricultural sector, marine vessels and trucks, Piñon said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 May 2026

Brent crude, the global benchmark, has surged since the Iran war began, driving higher prices for gasoline, diesel and other products made from it. —Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Fortune, 16 May 2026

On Wednesday, Cuban Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy told state media the country had run out of fuel oil and diesel, and had no reserves. —Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 15 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Rudolf Diesel

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diesel

• diesel-electric
• diesel engine
• diesel fuel

Rhymes for diesel

• pedicel

Kids Definition

diesel

noun

die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

1

: diesel engine

2

: a vehicle (as a truck or train) driven by a diesel engine

3

: a fuel designed for use in diesel engines

Etymology

named for Rudolf Diesel 1858–1913 German engineer

Biographical Definition

Diesel

biographical name

Die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

Rudolf 1858–1913 German mechanical engineer