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 risk is that the refinery troubles keep gasoline, diesel and jet fuel elevated for longer, keeping inflation elevated. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

The resumption of Saudi exports could help ease tight supply of heavier grades that produce more residue fuel which ⁠can be used to refuel ships or processed further at refineries, to yield higher quality fuels such as gasoline and diesel. — August 18, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

The previous jump in food prices stemmed in part from a historic oil shock set off by the Iran war, which pushed up diesel costs. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

As long as diesel is high, the cost to move cattle and produce beef will be high. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2026

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

• 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