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

Melbourne teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, were among six tourists who died in November after drinking alcohol that authorities suspect was tainted with methanol in Vang Vieng, a town popular with backpackers and tourists. —Christine Pelisek, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025

So, Booth said, the methanol must have come from the cloud that predated the new star and its planets. —Elise Cutts, WIRED, 22 Dec. 2024

Alternative methods of propulsion—hydrogen fuel cells and green methanol for superyachts, say, or diesel-electric power for vessels under 100 feet—have been discussed for years yet are often dismissed by builders as too complex and expensive. —Katia Damborsky, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2024

Just small amounts of methanol can cause blindness, nausea and vomiting, while drinking as little as 30 milliliters (1 ounce) can be lethal. —Helen Regan, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for methanol

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol

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