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
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Ozone pollution, also called smog, is the presence of ground-level ozone that forms when chemicals like nitrogen oxides and volatile organics from electric utilities, car exhaust, gasoline vapors, industrial facilities and chemical solvents react to sunlight. Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026 To lower gasoline prices, Hilton would ramp up California domestic production of oil and natural gas and reduce regulations on refineries. National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 So far, the war's most tangible and immediate effect for many people outside the conflict zone has been spiking gasoline prices. CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 Investors will be watching the hearing closely to see how Warsh balances Trump’s demands for lower interest rates as the war in Iran pushes up the price of gasoline, adding to inflationary pressures that already exist. Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026 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 26 Apr. 2026.

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

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