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

Be Wary of Other Medicines Containing Alcohol Additional OTC medications may contain alcohol (ethanol) as an ingredient. —Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 29 Sep. 2025

The first stage converts sugars to ethanol (an alcohol) by adding yeast. —Lauren O'Connor, Health, 24 Sep. 2025

Innovation resolves the key challenge of e-mobility MAHLE is also showcasing components for internal combustion engines that can be operated on up to 100% ethanol, massively and immediately reducing the carbon dioxide emissions of the existing vehicle pool. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2025

Dudley and his team examined how much ethanol—or alcohol—is ingested by chimpanzees via fruits, which may help explain why our love for alcohol persists today. —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025

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