ethanol

noun

eth·​a·​nol ˈe-thə-ˌnȯl How to pronounce ethanol (audio) -ˌnōl How to pronounce ethanol (audio)
 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 The 32-year-old died from fentanyl and ethanol toxicity in January 2023. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 28 Mar. 2024 Brandon, an aspiring stand-up comic, died of fentanyl and ethanol toxicity in January 2023 following a years-long battle with addiction to painkillers. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024 Six railcars, including three carrying ethanol and butane residue, derailed along with two locomotives on the third train, sending the locomotives into the river. Josh Funk, Quartz, 26 Mar. 2024 Toxicology testing of blood detected the presence of ethanol. Dateline Nbc, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2024 Producers of less carbon intensive fuel — such as biofuel, ethanol and biomethane — sell those credits to gasoline and diesel producers who rack up deficits. Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 23 Feb. 2024 For example, the museum has ethanol collections in jars that are subject to legal restrictions when they're moved. Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2024 Much of the ethanol dissipates, leaving you with a flaky pie crust minus the alcohol flavor. Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023 The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced February 29 that Heritage Store Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash is being recalled for a lack of child-resistant packaging required for products containing a certain concentration of ethanol. John Towfighi, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ethanol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ethanol was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near ethanol

Cite this Entry

“Ethanol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethanol. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

ethanol

noun
eth·​a·​nol ˈeth-ə-ˌnȯl How to pronounce ethanol (audio)
-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 How to pronounce ethanol (audio) -ˌnōl How to pronounce ethanol (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on ethanol

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