methanol

noun

meth·​a·​nol ˈme-thə-ˌnȯl 

-ˌnōl

: a light volatile flammable poisonous liquid alcohol CH₃OH used especially as a solvent, antifreeze, or denaturant for ethanol and in the synthesis of other chemicals

Examples of methanol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, regulators have previously fined the plant for violations involving volatile organic compounds, methanol, and formaldehyde. —Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

More enzymes are then used to turn the methanol into sugars, which, in turn, are then combined to make something called polymeric starch. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026

This fluid typically consists of alcohol, methanol and water that's mixed to clear your windshield of ice and other things obstructing your field of vision. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 21 Jan. 2026

Researchers have also experimented with storing energy by compressing air, heating up blocks or sand, using hydrogen or methanol, pressurizing water deep underground, and even dangling heavy objects in the air and dropping them. —IEEE Spectrum, 21 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for methanol

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol

Kids Definition

methanol

noun

meth·​a·​nol ˈmeth-ə-ˌnȯl 

-ˌnōl

: a light flammable poisonous liquid alcohol that consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and is used especially as antifreeze and to dissolve things

Medical Definition

methanol

noun

meth·​a·​nol ˈmeth-ə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

: a light volatile pungent flammable poisonous liquid alcohol CH₃OH formed in the destructive distillation of wood or made synthetically and used especially as a solvent, antifreeze, or denaturant for ethanol and in the synthesis of other chemicals

called also carbinol, methyl alcohol, wood alcohol