isopropyl alcohol

noun

|Updated on: 22 Jun 2018

Definition of isopropyl alcohol

: a volatile flammable alcohol C₃H₈O used especially as a solvent and rubbing alcohol

See isopropyl alcohol defined for kids

Recent Examples of isopropyl alcohol from the Web

The researchers tested a batch of Acinetobacter found on NASA spacecraft by starving them of ordinary nutrients and then subjecting them to pure ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and Kleenol 30, a floor detergent.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "It Turns Out Bacteria Can Eat the Chemicals NASA Puts on Spacecraft to Kill Them," 6 June 2018
Next, take out a clean cloth, the isopropyl alcohol, and some Q-tips.

— paul sarconi, WIRED, "How to Clean Your Computer Inside and Out," 24 Apr. 2018
There's also a squeeze bottle with what looks like, um, really watery icing, the use of which required a man to pour isopropyl alcohol across the stage to clean up after.

— chelsea brasted, NOLA.com, "A night with Stormy Daniels in New Orleans, USA," 10 May 2018
Instead, mix in a small spray bottle a solution of half water half 70 percent isopropyl alcohol, spray down your phone and wipe clean with a soft cloth.

— anne saker, Cincinnati.com, "Flu raging through Ohio, with a third child dead; precautions you can take to stay well," 17 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'isopropyl alcohol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.