gasoline

noun

gas·​o·​line ˈga-sə-ˌlēn How to pronounce gasoline (audio)
ˌga-sə-ˈlēn,
 also  -zə-
variants or less commonly gasolene
: a volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture used as a fuel especially for internal combustion engines and usually blended from several products of natural gas and petroleum
gasolinic adjective

Examples of gasoline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That was partially offset by a sharp drop in the price of gasoline. Scott Horsley, NPR, 12 Aug. 2025 Jesse James Farm Road at Northeast 138th Street near Kearney had been closed since Monday afternoon, when a semi tractor-trailer overturned and dumped more than 5,000 gallons of gasoline. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2025 Lee, a four-term Danville city councilman and father of two, was doused with gasoline and set on fire outside his workplace at Showcase magazine on Tuesday, July 29, in a shocking broad-daylight attack. Bailey Richards, People.com, 3 Aug. 2025 Tesla's reliance on gasoline may soon change, however. Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 2 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gasoline

Word History

Etymology

gas entry 1 + -ol entry 2 + -ine entry 2 or -ene

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gasoline was in 1865

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gasoline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gasoline. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

gasoline

noun
gas·​o·​line ˈgas-ə-ˌlēn How to pronounce gasoline (audio)
ˌgas-ə-ˈlēn
: a flammable liquid produced usually by blending products from natural gas and petroleum and used especially as a fuel for engines

More from Merriam-Webster on gasoline

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