aerosol

noun

aero·​sol ˈer-ə-ˌsäl  -ˌsȯl 

1

: a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas

Smoke, fog, and mist are aerosols.

airborne aerosol transmission of infective viral particles

also, aerosols plural : the fine particles of an aerosol

stratospheric aerosols

2

: a substance (such as an insecticide or medicine) dispensed from a pressurized container as an aerosol

also : the container for this

Examples of aerosol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Printing circuits on curves One of the team’s systems mounts an aerosol jet printer on an articulated robotic arm. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

The last of Lila and Amisha’s henchmen has fled with the remaining supply of poison aerosol, intending to detonate it, on Amisha’s orders, at a nightclub. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026

Use an aerosol wasp spray, labeled for quick knockdowns, which can spray from 10 feet or more away. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2026

Six men ultimately were convicted — TSA immediately banned nearly all liquids, gels and aerosols from remaining with travelers beyond security screening. — Rio Yamat, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

aero- + -sol (in hydrosol)

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for aerosol

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

Kids Definition

aerosol

noun

aero·​sol ˈar-ə-ˌsäl  ˈer- 

-ˌsȯl

: a mixture of fine solid or liquid particles and gas

smoke and fog are aerosols

Medical Definition

aerosol

noun

aero·​sol ˈar-ə-ˌsäl  ˈer- 

-ˌsȯl

1

: a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas

… several respiratory pathogens are known to spread through small respiratory aerosols, which can float and travel in air flows, infecting people who inhale them …

—Chia C. Wang et al., Science

2

: a substance (as an insecticide or medicine) dispensed from a pressurized container as an aerosol

also : the container for this