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 lungs process substances differently from the digestive system, and the health effects of chronic inhalation of propylene glycol through e-cigarette aerosol remain incompletely understood. — Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026

Clouds come into being via condensation nuclei, tiny aerosol particles floating around in the atmosphere. — Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026

Methylene chloride, also known as Dichloromethane (DCM), is an industrial solvent typically used in adhesives, paint and coating products, pharmaceuticals, metal cleaning, chemical processing, and aerosols. — Logan Smith, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

Printing circuits on curves One of the team’s systems mounts an aerosol jet printer on an articulated robotic arm. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

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
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol
• 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

… several respiratory pathogens are known to spread through small respiratory aerosols, which can float and travel in air flows, infecting people who inhale them …

—Chia C. Wang et al., Science

2

: a substance (as an insecticide or medicine) dispensed from a pressurized container as an aerosol

also : the container for this