diesel

noun

die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

1

: diesel engine

2

: a vehicle driven by a diesel engine

3

: diesel fuel

Examples of diesel in a Sentence

Does your car take diesel or gasoline?

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump recently also blamed Zelensky for the spike in diesel prices, urging the country to stop targeting Russian oil refineries. — Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2026

Ending the war in Iran — itself an enormously tall task — will do nothing to end Russia’s diesel export ban, which blocked off 12% of the world’s seaborne diesel supply. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Analysts say the steady rise in diesel’s price per gallon means consumers and businesses should expect to see even higher prices. — Victoria Hoffmann, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2026

As a result, the rise in diesel costs threatens to worsen a surge of inflation set off by the outbreak of the Iran war nearly seven months ago. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Rudolf Diesel

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diesel

• diesel-electric
• diesel engine
• diesel fuel

Rhymes for diesel

• pedicel

Kids Definition

diesel

noun

die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

1

: diesel engine

2

: a vehicle (as a truck or train) driven by a diesel engine

3

: a fuel designed for use in diesel engines

Etymology

named for Rudolf Diesel 1858–1913 German engineer

Biographical Definition

Diesel

biographical name

Die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

Rudolf 1858–1913 German mechanical engineer