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

Piñón also proposes the use of renewable energies, such as solar, and producing ethanol from sugarcane, as Brazil does. — Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

While India has additional ethanol capacity to raise the blending percentage even higher, up to 25%, the government has put the plans on hold as the earlier mandate is facing public backlash. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 22 July 2026

Methanol is sometimes added to mixed drinks at disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause severe poisoning or death. — ABC News, 17 July 2026

According to an autopsy report, Strain died by accidental drowning and ethanol intoxication. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ethanol

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol
• 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