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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Gasoline with higher blends of ethanol could be sold year-round in eight Midwestern states beginning in 2024 under a rule proposed Wednesday by the Environmental Protection Agency. —

Scott Mcfetridge, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2023 The yeast in these foods can ferment in a pet's warm stomach and produce toxic levels of ethanol. —

Leticia Fanucchi, CBS News, 17 Dec. 2022 While bottled in Latvia, the ethanol to make the spirit came from Russia. —

Saabira Chaudhuri, WSJ, 11 Mar. 2022 As for filtration of the ethanol fumes, Jack Daniel's says that's not currently possible. —

Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2023 It is often found near distilleries that produce liquors like whiskey, scotch, and vodka because of the ethanol released in the production process. —

Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2023 Many researchers have served alcohol to honeybees, which will readily drink straight ethanol and have become a model for human alcoholism. —

Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2023 Gevo, a startup based in Denver that is also making sustainable aviation fuel from ethanol, broke ground last year on a plant in South Dakota. —

David Gelles, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Feb. 2023 The study, conducted by Baker & O’Brien Inc. for the main US refining trade group, outlines larger-than-expected impacts of the change, which is part of a bid to encourage filling stations to sell higher ethanol E15 gasoline and offer it year round. —

Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ethanol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of ethanol was in 1892

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ethanol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethanol. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

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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