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

For millions of households and businesses that rely on diesel and petrol generators because the electricity grid remains unreliable, rising oil prices increase the cost of keeping the lights on. — Michael Adu Okyere, Time, 28 July 2026

Little Village and south suburban Elwood residents are among those who have organized after diesel emissions near their homes were predicted to increase significantly because of warehouse developments. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

The campaign has led Russia to extend its ban on diesel exports until the end of the year. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

Andy Dyer, chief executive of AFS Logistics, said diesel prices in the second quarter were about 51% higher than in January and February, while jet fuel prices rose 90% from a year earlier. — Cathy Bussewitz, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 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