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

Philly neighborhoods with a higher percentage of green areas, by contrast, have lower levels of diesel particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and other toxic air pollutants, which inflame and irritate the respiratory system. — Mahbubur Meenar, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026

The Board barred the operator from testing backup diesel generators on poor air quality days and required the facility to supply a minimum of two percent of its own power from renewable sources. — Ron Kitchens, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

Brent crude averaged almost $97 a barrel during the quarter; Aramco captured an additional premium of nearly $11 a barrel by boosting exports of higher-margin refined products, such as diesel and jet fuel. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices climbed sharply during that period, increasing costs for drivers and airline passengers. — Cathy Bussewitz, Los Angeles Times, 3 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