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

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

These aerosols also influence how clouds form and reflect light; as temperatures rise, clouds are becoming thinner and less reflective, trapping more heat. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 29 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