aerosol
noun
aero·sol
ˈer-ə-ˌsäl 
-ˌsȯl
-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
In addition to nitrogen dioxide, the instrument measures ozone, formaldehyde, aerosols, water vapor and several trace gasses.
—
Sarah Bahari, Dallas News, 7 Sep. 2023
The Temperature Control Unit (TCU) warms food like a microwave and chills it by releasing compressed air, similar to the way that an aerosol can quickly cools as it’s sprayed.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 15 Aug. 2023
The haze forms when pollution from cars and chemicals in paint and aerosols react with heat and sunlight, especially when there’s little wind.
—oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2023
Then the sun becomes an aerosol of sweat and creosote, a fragrance
of old rose and spoiled milk, of feces and mud.
—Amaud Jamaul Johnson, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2023
The eruption released an unusually small amount of cooling sulfate aerosols but an enormous amount of water vapor.
—Michael Wysession, Fortune, 27 July 2023
There is a $1 fee for aerosols and compressed gas tanks, with propane tanks - maximum size 16 ounces - having a fee of $3 per container.
—David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2023
All liquids, gels, and aerosols must fit into containers that are 3.4 ounces or less; these containers must then be placed in a clear quart-size bag.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 2 Aug. 2023
And while the protective ozone layer is firmly on the mend since the phaseout of ozone-depleting aerosols in the 1980s, it’s not expected to fully recover until 2040.
—Grace Browne, WIRED, 12 July 2023
See More
Sarah Bahari, Dallas News, 7 Sep. 2023
The Temperature Control Unit (TCU) warms food like a microwave and chills it by releasing compressed air, similar to the way that an aerosol can quickly cools as it’s sprayed.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 15 Aug. 2023
The haze forms when pollution from cars and chemicals in paint and aerosols react with heat and sunlight, especially when there’s little wind.
—oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2023
Then the sun becomes an aerosol of sweat and creosote, a fragrance
of old rose and spoiled milk, of feces and mud.
—Amaud Jamaul Johnson, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2023
The eruption released an unusually small amount of cooling sulfate aerosols but an enormous amount of water vapor.
—Michael Wysession, Fortune, 27 July 2023
There is a $1 fee for aerosols and compressed gas tanks, with propane tanks - maximum size 16 ounces - having a fee of $3 per container.
—David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2023
All liquids, gels, and aerosols must fit into containers that are 3.4 ounces or less; these containers must then be placed in a clear quart-size bag.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 2 Aug. 2023
And while the protective ozone layer is firmly on the mend since the phaseout of ozone-depleting aerosols in the 1980s, it’s not expected to fully recover until 2040.
—Grace Browne, WIRED, 12 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aerosol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near aerosol
Cite this Entry
“Aerosol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerosol. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
aerosol
noun
aero·sol
ˈar-ə-ˌsäl
ˈer-
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-
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
More from Merriam-Webster on aerosol
Nglish: Translation of aerosol for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aerosol
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share