rubbing alcohol
noun
: a cooling and soothing liquid for external application that contains approximately 70 percent denatured ethanol or isopropanol
Examples of rubbing alcohol in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Select a pair of sharp secateurs to take your cuttings and sterilize the blades with rubbing alcohol or a 10% bleach solution.
—
Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
Clean your trimmers with rubbing alcohol to help prevent pathogens from spreading to the plant.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Other alternatives to vinegar and water or store-bought include rubbing alcohol.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Even rubbing alcohol works, though at 70% alcohol, use 10 or 11 parts water to dilute it down enough.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025
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Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
Clean your trimmers with rubbing alcohol to help prevent pathogens from spreading to the plant.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Other alternatives to vinegar and water or store-bought include rubbing alcohol.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Even rubbing alcohol works, though at 70% alcohol, use 10 or 11 parts water to dilute it down enough.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rubbing alcohol
Cite this Entry
“Rubbing alcohol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubbing%20alcohol. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rubbing alcohol
noun
rub·bing alcohol
ˈrəb-iŋ-ˌ 
: a cooling and soothing liquid for external application that contains approximately 70 percent denatured ethanol or isopropyl alcohol
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