diesel

noun

die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

1

: diesel engine

2

: a vehicle driven by a diesel engine

3

: diesel fuel

Examples of diesel in a Sentence

Does your car take diesel or gasoline?

Recent Examples on the Web

The results demonstrated that charging times could be reduced by up to 68 percent, meaning a 30-minute 10–80 percent charge on a 350 kW fast charger could be reduced to around 10 minutes, bringing EV charging closer to the speeds of conventional petrol or diesel refueling. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 Nov. 2025

The Bliss 8's two-part heating system pairs together a diesel air heater and electric floor heater. —New Atlas, 14 Nov. 2025

Unlike gasoline diesel, and other chemicals, natural uranium ore poses minimal risk if handled properly. —Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 11 Nov. 2025

Solar Power to the Amazonian People Many riverside communities throughout the Amazon basin lack access to electricity and often depend on polluting kerosene lamps and diesel generators for light and power. —Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Rudolf Diesel

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diesel

• diesel-electric
• diesel engine
• diesel fuel

Rhymes for diesel

• biodiesel
• pedicel

Kids Definition

diesel

noun

die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

1

: diesel engine

2

: a vehicle (as a truck or train) driven by a diesel engine

3

: a fuel designed for use in diesel engines

Etymology

named for Rudolf Diesel 1858–1913 German engineer

Biographical Definition

Diesel

biographical name

Die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

Rudolf 1858–1913 German mechanical engineer