ethanol

noun

eth·​a·​nol ˈe-thə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

British also ˈē-

: a colorless volatile flammable liquid C₂H₅OH that is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also used as a solvent and in fuel

called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol

Examples of ethanol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, ethanol has become the backbone of the daily commute. —ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026

Typically, sales of the gas are restricted during the summer due to the volatility of ethanol and its contribution to smog, but the Farm Bureau maintains that new studies show the blend is non-polluting. —Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026

The agency is also removing all federal restrictions on the sale of E10, gasoline blended with 10% ethanol, with both waivers taking effect May 1. —Rebecca Shabad, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026

Her office said that lab testing confirmed some products contained lead, arsenic, mercury, ethanol, solvents, pesticides and other unknown products. —Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ethanol

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• fireball
• gasohol
• guaiacol

Kids Definition

ethanol

noun

eth·​a·​nol ˈeth-ə-ˌnȯl 

-ˌnōl

: a colorless flammable easily evaporated liquid that is used to dissolve things and that is the substance in fermented and distilled liquors that can make one drunk

called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol

Medical Definition

ethanol

noun

eth·​a·​nol ˈeth-ə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

: a colorless volatile flammable liquid C₂H₅OH that is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also used as a solvent

called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol

see alcohol sense 1