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

The majority of pollutants that children are exposed to come from diesel school buses, according to Parker Higgs, business development director for Entegrity, an energy consulting firm in Little Rock. —Harley Walls, Arkansas Online, 7 Aug. 2025

Long car journeys and flights make up the largest share, while diesel generators used to power stages and facilities add significantly to the overall footprint. —Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Trucks are entering the Big Cypress Preserve carrying fill material, asphalt, large diesel generators, fuel, and artificial lighting — all of which degrade the environment and harm wildlife. —Elise Bennett, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2025

The truck simply runs on diesel alone and drops off the dolly at the last location passed. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2025

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

• biodiesel
• 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