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

The agency prohibits liquid, gel, aerosol, cream and paste containers over 3.4 ounces – 100 milliliters – each in carry-on luggage. —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 23 June 2025

It is typically dispersed as an aerosol or as small particles in a liquid spray, according to the National Capital Poison Center. —Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 11 June 2025

The chemicals in the aerosol spray cans can often make people feel euphoric or drunk for a few minutes, but ingesting them can lead to heart or liver failure. —Caroline Blair, People.com, 9 June 2025

Some deciduous trees bombard decks with an ultra-fine aerosol of sugars. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 7 June 2025

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
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• 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

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