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 of alcohol

• liquor
• booze
• drink

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

Sweetin became sober in 2008 after abusing drugs and alcohol for over a decade and has become a public advocate for recovery from addiction. —Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026

Spears, who lives in the area, took a series of field sobriety tests and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a combination of alcohol and drugs, authorities said. —ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026

In March, she was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a combination of alcohol and drugs in Ventura County. —Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

Spears was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in Ventura County on March 4. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026

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
• sugar alcohol
• vinyl alcohol
• wood alcohol

Rhymes for alcohol

• aerosol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• guaiacol

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