aerosol

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The ensuing match included an aerosol can, Misao running Hattori over with her bike, innumerable hand signs for jutsu and acrobatic takedowns. Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026 The satellite also hosts the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission, which aims to monitor key air quality trace gases and aerosols over Europe in support of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) at high spatial resolution and with a fast revisit time. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026 These included gases such as volatile organic compounds and particulates – often called aerosols – containing a myriad of substances, such as dust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, metals, asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls. Armin Sorooshian, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026 Mostly gone are the staff’s personal foibles and follies, but vanished, too, is the post-COVID-19 despair that hung over the inaugural episodes like an aerosol haze. Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aerosol

Word History

Etymology

aero- + -sol (in hydrosol)

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aerosol was in 1923

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aerosol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerosol. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

aerosol

noun
aero·​sol ˈar-ə-ˌsäl How to pronounce aerosol (audio) ˈer- How to pronounce aerosol (audio)
-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 How to pronounce aerosol (audio) ˈer- How to pronounce aerosol (audio)
-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

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