alcohol
noun
al·co·hol
ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl 
1
2
: any of a class of organic (see organic entry 1 sense 1b(2)) compounds that are analogous to ethanol and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons
Examples of alcohol in a Sentence
cough medicine that contains alcohol
drinks that are high in alcohol
There was a high level of alcohol in his blood at the time of the accident.
a mixture of different alcohols
The restaurant had a license to serve alcohol.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mix four tablespoons of the alcohol and four drops of the soap into the one-liter spray bottle.
—
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The suit named Alex for owning the boat, Maggie for allegedly letting Paul use the boat and Paul's brother Buster for allegedly giving him his driver's license to buy the alcohol on the day Mallory was killed, according to The State.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
The man's friend, 21, was charged for allegedly providing alcohol to the underage fan who fell from the bleachers onto the field during the seventh inning of the Pirates-Cubs game on April 30.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2025
Bold, tannic wines can be overpowering, Latour tells us, and heavy, high-alcohol reds can overwhelm delicate or spiced desserts, Morreale notes.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alcohol
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Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The suit named Alex for owning the boat, Maggie for allegedly letting Paul use the boat and Paul's brother Buster for allegedly giving him his driver's license to buy the alcohol on the day Mallory was killed, according to The State.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
The man's friend, 21, was charged for allegedly providing alcohol to the underage fan who fell from the bleachers onto the field during the seventh inning of the Pirates-Cubs game on April 30.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2025
Bold, tannic wines can be overpowering, Latour tells us, and heavy, high-alcohol reds can overwhelm delicate or spiced desserts, Morreale notes.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alcohol
Cite this Entry
“Alcohol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcohol. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alcohol
noun
al·co·hol
ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl
1
a
: ethanol especially when used as the substance in fermented or distilled liquors (as beer or whiskey) that can make one drunk
b
: drink (as beer, wine, or whiskey) containing ethanol
2
: any of various carbon compounds that are similar to ethanol in having one or more hydroxyl groups
Medical Definition
alcohol
noun
al·co·hol
ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl
1
a
: ethanol especially when considered as the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors
b
: drink (as whiskey or beer) containing ethanol
c
: a mixture of ethanol and water that is usually 95 percent ethanol
2
: any of various compounds that are analogous to ethanol in constitution and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons
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