methyl alcohol

noun

: methanol

Examples of methyl alcohol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Based on early examinations, the incident appears to be a case of methyl alcohol consumption, Pal told the outlet. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2026 While fermentation is essential for distillation, a secondary fermentation can lead to unpleasant tastes, off aromas, and the creation of methyl alcohol. — Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 By combining the hydrogen and oxygen with carbon captured from ambient air, methyl alcohol can be produced and then treated in further process steps to adapt it for use in cars. — Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2023 Washer fluid is already 40 percent methyl alcohol and 60 percent water. — Mike Allen, Popular Mechanics, 15 May 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of methyl alcohol was in 1847

Rhymes for methyl alcohol

See All Rhymes for methyl alcohol

Browse Nearby Words

methylacetylene
methyl alcohol
methylamine
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Methyl alcohol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methyl%20alcohol. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

methyl alcohol

noun
: methanol

Medical Definition

methyl alcohol

noun
: methanol

More from Merriam-Webster on methyl alcohol

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about methyl alcohol

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of hobnob

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All