aerosol

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noun aero·sol \ ˈer-ə-ˌsäl , -ˌsȯl \

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

Another suspect, Richard W. Preston, 52, is allegedly the man seen on video shot by the American Civil Liberties Union taking out a pistol and firing a round toward a counterprotester who was wielding a flaming can of aerosol.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "Charlottesville protests: 3 men charged in attacks," 27 Aug. 2017
The EPA rule in 2015 effectively banned 38 individual HFCs or HFC blends in 25 uses in four industrial sectors: aerosols, air conditioning for new cars, retail food refrigeration and foam blowing.

— amanda reilly, Science | AAAS, "U.S. court rejects Obama-era plan to eliminate some potent planet warming chemicals," 8 Aug. 2017
There are plenty of natural precedents for stratospheric aerosols, too—

— robinson meyer, The Atlantic, "To Stop Global Warming, Should Humanity Dim the Sky?," 7 Aug. 2017
The aerosol-free option also delivered on its sheer payoff promise, not leaving a single trace of powder in sight.

— rachel jacoby zoldan, SELF, "I Stopped Washing My Hair Every Day and Used These 8 Shampoo Alternatives Instead," 18 July 2017
Matter ejected by them—particularly sulphur dioxide, which reacts with atmospheric gases to form sulphate aerosols—reflects sunlight back into space, cooling the air beneath.

— The Economist, "VolcanologyEvents in Iceland explain years of famine in Europe’s Dark Ages," 18 July 2017
Officers later found the boys with a burnt and exploded aerosol can near them.

— julie a. short/special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Teenagers set mailbox on fire: Fairview Park Police Blotter," 13 July 2017
With all the aerosols being released onstage, all those deputy hizzoners at City Hall may detect a growing hole in the ozone layer over Dixon Hall this weekend.

— theodore p. mahne, NOLA.com, "'Hairspray' still silly, peppy fun at Tulane Summer Lyric," 12 July 2017
Possible risks from other components of the liquid and aerosol have not been fully determined.

— linda searing, Washington Post, "Young users of e-cigarettes may be more likely to move on to traditional cigarettes," 2 July 2017

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

aer- + ⁴sol

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1918

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AEROSOL Defined for English Language Learners

aerosol

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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

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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

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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

Seen and Heard

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aerosol

Definition of aerosol

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Recent Examples of aerosol from the Web

Origin and Etymology of aerosol

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aerosol

Definition of aerosol for English Language Learners

AEROSOL Defined for Kids

aerosol

Definition of aerosol for Students

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aerosol

medical Definition of aerosol

Learn More about aerosol

Seen and Heard

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