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

Recent Examples on the Web

Following on the hydrogen fuel cell power system developed for Feadship’s Project 821, C will draw 100% of her power needs from fuel cells directly running on methanol, complimented by lithium-metal batteries. —Bill Springer, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

The deal also includes a low carbon methanol facility and renewable natural gas assets. —Katie Fehrenbacher, Axios, 9 Sep. 2024

The incident stirred concerns that methanol could have escaped into the river and entered local water sources, but authorities said tests of the water did not detect the chemical. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024

The technical area of the yacht was designed to accept low-to-no emission fuels, including biofuel, methanol, ethanol, and hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technologies. —Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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 

: 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