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

In the rural and poor urban areas, only about 10% have access; the rest get power a few hours a day, if that, from generators running on diesel or heavy fuel oil. — Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Groceries and everyday shopping have also gotten pricier because of diesel, the fuel of choice for trucks and heavy farming equipment. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 1 July 2026

Most of the Coast Guard’s fleet is powered by diesel and gas engines. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Putin revealed that a complete ban on diesel exports is under consideration — after his own deputy prime minister had told reporters that no such ban was necessary. — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 29 June 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