1
a
: the rarefied element formerly believed to fill the upper regions of space
b
: the upper regions of space : heavens
2
a
: a light volatile flammable liquid C4H10O used chiefly as a solvent and especially formerly as an anesthetic
b
: any of a class of organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom attached to two carbon atoms
3
a
or less commonly aether : a medium that in the wave theory of light permeates all space and transmits transverse waves
b
etheric
i-ˈther-ik How to pronounce ether (audio)
-ˈthir-
adjective

Examples of ether in a Sentence

The balloon disappeared into the ether.
Recent Examples on the Web The market is buzzing with anticipation for an ETF backed by bitcoin’s little brother ether, the native token associated with the Ethereum blockchain and used to create such things as NFTs. Forbes Daily, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The uptick in bitcoin and ether, the world’s two biggest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, continues a broader rally in recent months across the digital asset economy. Forbes Daily, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Conversely, if the SEC denies an ether spot ETF, the entire world of Ethereum tokens could struggle. Steve Larsen, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 The Bored Ape NFTs now sell for a floor price of about $57,000 worth of ether cryptocurrency, according to CoinGecko. Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2023 Although some looks ether into workwear territory there is a youthful energy peeking through. Essence, 17 Jan. 2024 The price of ether, the coin tied to ethereum, rose rapidly after the bitcoin ETF approvals. Zachary Halaschak, Washington Examiner, 11 Jan. 2024 In this view, consciousness was already there before brains existed, like an all-pervasive ether. Dan Falk, Scientific American, 25 Sep. 2023 Chiropractic care emerged from the medical ether in 1895 when Daniel D. Palmer, its pioneer, successfully performed a spinal manipulation that purportedly improved a patient's auditory faculties. Maria Williams, USA TODAY, 15 Aug. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin aether, from Greek aithēr, from aithein to ignite, blaze; akin to Old English ād pyre — more at edify

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ether was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ether

Cite this Entry

“Ether.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ether. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ether

noun
1
a
: an invisible substance once believed to fill the upper regions of space
b
: the upper regions of space : heavens
2
: an easily evaporated flammable liquid used chiefly to dissolve other substances and especially formerly as an anesthetic

Medical Definition

ether

noun
1
: a medium that in the wave theory of light permeates all space and transmits transverse waves
2
a
: a light volatile flammable liquid C4H10O used especially formerly chiefly as an anesthetic

called also diethyl ether, ethyl ether, ethyl oxide

b
: any of various organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom attached to two carbon atoms

More from Merriam-Webster on ether

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!