methanol
noun
meth·a·nol
ˈme-thə-ˌnȯl 
-ˌnōl
: a light volatile flammable poisonous liquid alcohol CH3OH used especially as a solvent, antifreeze, or denaturant for ethanol and in the synthesis of other chemicals
Examples of methanol in a Sentence
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Using the powerful radio antennas of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, researchers detected extremely strong signals of methanol (CH3OH), a simple alcohol molecule, in the comet's expanding cloud of gas.
—
Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Altogether, the survey observes more than 70 different molecular spectral lines — signatures of simple two-atom molecules, complex organic compounds, such as methanol and ethanol, and everything in between.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
As well as gas, QatarEnergy has also halted output of downstream products such as methanol, polymers, and urea, prompting local industrial groups to suspend their own operations.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The maritime sector continues to evaluate various fuels to meet environmental targets, as hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol remain the primary candidates to replace traditional heavy fuel oils.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Feb. 2026
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Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Altogether, the survey observes more than 70 different molecular spectral lines — signatures of simple two-atom molecules, complex organic compounds, such as methanol and ethanol, and everything in between.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
As well as gas, QatarEnergy has also halted output of downstream products such as methanol, polymers, and urea, prompting local industrial groups to suspend their own operations.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The maritime sector continues to evaluate various fuels to meet environmental targets, as hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol remain the primary candidates to replace traditional heavy fuel oils.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for methanol
Cite this Entry
“Methanol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methanol. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
methanol
noun
meth·a·nol
ˈmeth-ə-ˌnȯl
-ˌnōl
: a light flammable poisonous liquid alcohol that consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and is used especially as antifreeze and to dissolve things
Medical Definition
methanol
noun
meth·a·nol
ˈmeth-ə-ˌnȯl
-ˌnōl
-ˌnōl
: a light volatile pungent flammable poisonous liquid alcohol CH3OH formed in the destructive distillation of wood or made synthetically and used especially as a solvent, antifreeze, or denaturant for ethanol and in the synthesis of other chemicals
called also carbinol, methyl alcohol, wood alcohol
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