aerosol

noun aero·sol \ ˈer-ə-ˌsäl , -ˌsȯl \

Updated on: 17 May 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

These particles and aerosols spread all over the world and scattered incoming sunlight.

— umair irfan, Vox, "Volcanoes are awe-inspiring. Here are 7 things to know about them.," 11 May 2018
The challenge is a test of endurance and involves spraying deodorant from an aerosol can directly onto a person’s bare skin.

— casey quackenbush, Time, "A Teenager Was Left With Second-Degree Burns After Taking Part in 'The Deodorant Challenge'," 9 May 2018
And that aerosol contained the residue of cigarette smoke.

— karen kaplan, latimes.com, "This room was off-limits to smokers, but its air contained surprising amounts of 'thirdhand smoke'," 9 May 2018
He was also arrested in Jacksonville for drinking beer at a beach and twice for huffing an aerosol can during the same two-month span, according to WFTV 9, the ABC affiliate in Orlando.

— justin sayers, The Courier-Journal, "Ex-Indiana University wrestler, Florida man, charged with kicking swans in Orlando," 4 May 2018
The liquid is heated into an aerosol that the user inhales.

— susan scutti, CNN, "FDA 'blitz' aimed at reducing youths' use of Juul, other e-cigarettes," 24 Apr. 2018
The droplets don’t go especially far — typically six feet or so — and they don’t become suspended in an aerosol that travels through currents of air in the plane’s cabin, where they could be breathed in.

— nicholas bakalar, New York Times, "How Not to Get Sick on a Plane? Choose Your Seat Wisely," 22 Mar. 2018
Of particular interest would be to measure the amount of sulfur dioxide in the first few weeks, before the gas combines with water vapor to make the reflective aerosols.

— author: henry fountain, Anchorage Daily News, "The next big volcano could briefly cool Earth. NASA wants to be ready.," 2 Feb. 2018
In cell cultures, IQOS aerosol was found to harm cells and induce mutations in their DNA.

— melissa healy, latimes.com, "Tobacco giant presses its case for a better-for-you cigarette," 25 Jan. 2018

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

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Definition of aerosol for Students

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