diesel

noun

die·​sel ˈdē-zəl How to pronounce diesel (audio)
-səl
1
2
: a vehicle driven by a diesel engine
3

Examples of diesel in a Sentence

Does your car take diesel or gasoline?
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.
This is a land of cranes and diesel big rigs and container boxes as far as the eye can see, along with the aging but still glorious Queen Mary anchored off the marina. Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026 The engine features an all radial design for compactness, and can use Jet A-1, JP-8, diesel, and petrol fuels. Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 19 June 2026 The programs help communities track local air pollution by placing more air monitors in the area, develop their own pollution-reduction plans and fund green projects that replace older diesel vehicles and equipment, such as school buses and heavy-duty trucks, with cleaner options. Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026 Yeah, diesel costs a whole lot right now. Joel Feder, The Drive, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for diesel

Word History

Etymology

Rudolf Diesel

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diesel was in 1894

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diesel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diesel. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

diesel

noun
die·​sel ˈdē-zəl How to pronounce diesel (audio)
-səl
1
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 How to pronounce Diesel (audio)
-səl
Rudolf 1858–1913 German mechanical engineer

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