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 (such as whiskey or beer) containing ethanol

c

: a mixture of ethanol and water that is usually 95 percent ethanol

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

Synonyms

• aqua vitae
• ardent spirits
• booze
• bottle
• drink
• firewater
• grog
• hooch [slang]
• inebriant
• intoxicant
• John Barleycorn
• juice [slang]
• liquor
• lush [slang]
• moonshine
• potable
• rum
• sauce [slang]
• spirits
• stimulant
• strong drink
• tipple

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

Drugs and alcohol are not believed to have been contributing factors, the La Habra Police Department said. —Mona Darwish, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024

The city council of Doral will hold a Wednesday workshop to evaluate and possibly change decade-old policies regarding alcohol sales, including the extended hours permits for several CityPlace Doral businesses. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024

San Diego, like most counties in the state, opted not to put the new law into effect on Jan. 1, delaying action for one year to give providers time to come up with a system capable of shielding emergency departments from an influx of patients suffering drug and alcohol use symptoms. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024

Wilson’s bill would prohibit jurisdictions from adopting ordinance requirements that are more restrictive than those for stores that sell alcohol. —Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024

The Fresno man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and obstructing or resisting a police officer. —Bay City News, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024

The sheriff noted that Manny has no history of drug or alcohol abuse or mental health issues. —Stepheny Price, Fox News, 8 Apr. 2024

During the fermentation process, yeast is added to the grape juice, which causes the sugar from the grapes to convert to alcohol and carbon dioxide. —Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health, 8 Apr. 2024

This one is super compact and easy to travel with and contains everything from antiseptic wipes and alcohol pads to gel burn packets and bandages. —Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin, powdered antimony, from Old Spanish, from Arabic al-kuḥul the powdered antimony, from kuḥl kohl

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing alcohol

• alcohol by volume
• alcohol use disorder
• amyl alcohol
• anti-alcohol
• butyl alcohol
• cetyl alcohol
• ethyl alcohol
• fetal alcohol syndrome
• grain alcohol
• isopropyl alcohol
• lauryl alcohol
• methyl alcohol
• polyvinyl alcohol
• rubbing alcohol
• vinyl alcohol
• wood alcohol

Kids 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