alcohol
noun
al·co·hol
ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl 
1
2
: any of a class of organic (see organic entry 1 sense 1b(2)) compounds that are analogous to ethanol and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons
Examples of alcohol in a Sentence
cough medicine that contains alcohol
drinks that are high in alcohol
There was a high level of alcohol in his blood at the time of the accident.
a mixture of different alcohols
The restaurant had a license to serve alcohol.
Recent Examples on the Web
Officers patrolling the park found the man drinking an open container of alcohol by W. 137th St. and Riverside Drive at about 10:05 p.m. Thursday.
—
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025
Steele was arrested in 2024 for driving under the influence of alcohol after a car crash, but has been fighting the charge and is due back in court later this summer.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
The grapes were macerated for four to five days using the must from gravity pressing, then treated to cold clarification and stabilization, with no second fermentation, spending one month in bottle to emerge at 11% alcohol.
—John Mariani, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Purdy’s defense attorneys had hoped to call his mother to the witness stand to present evidence of her history of mental illness, drug addiction, schizophrenia and alcohol abuse during her pregnancy with Purdy.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for alcohol
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.
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025
Steele was arrested in 2024 for driving under the influence of alcohol after a car crash, but has been fighting the charge and is due back in court later this summer.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
The grapes were macerated for four to five days using the must from gravity pressing, then treated to cold clarification and stabilization, with no second fermentation, spending one month in bottle to emerge at 11% alcohol.
—John Mariani, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Purdy’s defense attorneys had hoped to call his mother to the witness stand to present evidence of her history of mental illness, drug addiction, schizophrenia and alcohol abuse during her pregnancy with Purdy.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for alcohol
Cite this Entry
“Alcohol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcohol. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alcohol
noun
al·co·hol
ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl
1
a
: ethanol especially when used as the substance in fermented or distilled liquors (as beer or whiskey) that can make one drunk
b
: drink (as beer, wine, or whiskey) containing ethanol
2
: any of various carbon compounds that are similar to ethanol in having one or more hydroxyl groups
Medical Definition
alcohol
noun
al·co·hol
ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl
1
a
: ethanol especially when considered as the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors
b
: drink (as whiskey or beer) containing ethanol
c
: a mixture of ethanol and water that is usually 95 percent ethanol
2
: any of various compounds that are analogous to ethanol in constitution and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share