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

Here's where the high diesel prices add up tough – what little hay there is, is a lot more expensive to harvest. — Anna King, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

In Iowa and in other Midwestern states, the price of diesel, which has risen more sharply than other fuel prices, has become a potent political issue. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026

Many rural communities rely on diesel for electricity and to heat their homes. — Becky Bohrer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier this week that the first shipment would amount to 40,000 tons of diesel, according to Russia's Interfax news agency. — Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 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