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

Research suggests that certain substances found in the aerosol of e-cigarettes can potentially increase your risk of developing cancer too. —Korin Miller, SELF, 14 Nov. 2025

Today's aerosol oven cleaners are often made with lye or sodium hydroxide. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025

Could injecting billions of kilograms of sunlight-dimming aerosols into the atmosphere save the planet from industrial climate destruction? —New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025

What’s more, the team of researchers, led by aerosol scientist Miranda Hack of Columbia University in the US, warned that a number of limitations could hamper our ability to effectively perform an SAI operation. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 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