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

The port will build its first zero-emissions container terminal and transition away from diesel equipment to meet climate goals. —Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026

More than 97% of cars sold in Norway last year were electric or plug-in hybrids, and EVs now outnumber both diesel and petrol cars on the country’s roads. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026

Over the longer term, increased Venezuelan oil production could contribute to lower energy prices, particularly for diesel, which is an important factor in transportation costs. —Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026

This happens because of fuel being mixed up with diesel; unburned fuel mixed with regular fuel. —January 9, CBS News, 9 Jan. 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

• biodiesel
• 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