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

Altogether, the survey observes more than 70 different molecular spectral lines — signatures of simple two-atom molecules, complex organic compounds, such as methanol and ethanol, and everything in between. —Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026

For example, a legal cannabis gummy is currently held to residual ethanol specifications more stringent than the alcohol levels occurring naturally in a ripe banana. —Rino Ferrarese, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026

So far, the survey has identified more than 70 types of molecules in the galactic center, including both simple molecules, such as silicon monoxide, and more complex organic ones like ethanol and methanol. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 26 Feb. 2026

These ranged from complex organic molecules like methanol and ethanol to simple molecules like silicon monoxide. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Feb. 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