aerosol

noun aero·sol \ ˈer-ə-ˌsäl , -ˌsȯl \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Definition of aerosol

1 : a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas

smoke, fog, and mist are aerosols

; 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

See aerosol defined for English-language learners

See aerosol defined for kids

Recent Examples of aerosol from the Web

Currently, scientists from several nations are working on studies to see if making continuous injections of aerosols might be able to produce a similar effect.

— john fialka, Scientific American, "The Best Way to Shade Earth," 5 July 2018
An aerosol can placed too close to a grill caused a small flash fire inside a food truck during the Oswego Farmers Market Sunday morning, Oswego Fire Department officials said.

— linda girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aerosol can near grill causes fire inside food truck at Oswego Farmers Market, officials say," 2 July 2018
Earlier steps include: ►September 2006: restricting containers of liquids, gels and aerosols to 3.3 ounces in carry-on bags, after a trans-Atlantic bomb plot that was foiled.

— bart jansen, USA TODAY, "TSA: Fliers will face more scrutiny for powders in carry-on bags," 19 June 2018
Researchers also plan to track the evolution of aerosols—minute particles that can either scatter or absorb sunlight, and play a major role in shaping climate.

— warren cornwall, Science | AAAS, "Scientists race to reveal how surging wildfire smoke is affecting climate and health," 31 May 2018
Some scientists speculate that seeding such sulfur aerosols — absent fiery eruptions — could someday be a Hail Mary to counteract climate change.

— nathaniel scharping, Discover Magazine, "Should We Cool Earth?," 18 May 2018
According to the Juul website, the devices create an aerosol rather than using a flame to activate the ingredients.

— kate zernike, New York Times, "F.D.A. Cracks Down on ‘Juuling’ Among Teenagers," 24 Apr. 2018
The reason scientists know so much about the density of aerosols in the upper atmosphere is largely due to the practice of shooting powerful lasers into the atmosphere and examining the return signal.

— chris lee, Ars Technica, "Lidar system images bullet in flight," 30 Mar. 2018
Tholins are a sort of aerosol thrown out when volatiles escape an atmosphere, but Pluto appears to not lose many of its volatile particles to space.

— john wenz, Popular Mechanics, "Here's What We Know About Pluto So Far," 17 July 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aerosol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of aerosol

aero- + -sol (in hydrosol)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1918

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

AEROSOL Defined for English Language Learners

aerosol

noun

Definition of aerosol for English Language Learners

: a substance (such as hair spray or medicine) that is kept in a container under pressure and that is released as a fine spray when a button is pressed

AEROSOL Defined for Kids

aerosol

noun aero·sol \ ˈer-ə-ˌsäl , -ˌsȯl \

Definition of aerosol for Students

1 : a substance (as an insect repellent or medicine) that is released from a container as a spray of tiny solid or liquid particles in gas

2 : a container (as a can) that dispenses a substance as a spray

Medical Dictionary

aerosol

noun aero·sol \ ˈar-ə-ˌsäl , ˈer- , -ˌsȯl \

medical Definition of aerosol

1 : a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas

smoke, fog, and mist are aerosols

2 : a substance (as an insecticide or medicine) dispensed from a pressurized container as an aerosol; also : the container for this

Learn More about aerosol

See words that rhyme with aerosol Spanish Central: Translation of aerosol Nglish: Translation of aerosol for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aerosol

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aerosol

Definition of aerosol

Recent Examples of aerosol from the Web

Origin and Etymology of aerosol

AEROSOL Defined for English Language Learners

aerosol

Definition of aerosol for English Language Learners

AEROSOL Defined for Kids

aerosol

Definition of aerosol for Students

Medical Dictionary

aerosol

medical Definition of aerosol

Learn More about aerosol

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aerosol

Definition of aerosol

Recent Examples of aerosol from the Web

Origin and Etymology of aerosol

AEROSOL Defined for English Language Learners

aerosol

Definition of aerosol for English Language Learners

AEROSOL Defined for Kids

aerosol

Definition of aerosol for Students

Medical Dictionary

aerosol

medical Definition of aerosol

Learn More about aerosol

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