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
Police say the driver remained at the scene and that drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors in the crash.
—
Kenny Choi, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
In September, hemp businesses collected signatures to repeal the constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana and replace it with regulations that are no more burdensome than regulations for alcohol and tobacco.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026
On-site staff members did not notify Hylton’s parents that he was being transferred to the ICU and failed to administer the appropriate medication for his worsening alcohol withdrawal, the report found.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
As people cut back on alcohol, mineral water is increasingly filling a role once occupied by wine and other alcoholic drinks, according to Ben Tannenbaum, an alcohol industry analyst in New York and vice president of partnerships at LineLeap, a nightlife technology platform.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alcohol
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Kenny Choi, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
In September, hemp businesses collected signatures to repeal the constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana and replace it with regulations that are no more burdensome than regulations for alcohol and tobacco.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026
On-site staff members did not notify Hylton’s parents that he was being transferred to the ICU and failed to administer the appropriate medication for his worsening alcohol withdrawal, the report found.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
As people cut back on alcohol, mineral water is increasingly filling a role once occupied by wine and other alcoholic drinks, according to Ben Tannenbaum, an alcohol industry analyst in New York and vice president of partnerships at LineLeap, a nightlife technology platform.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alcohol
Cite this Entry
“Alcohol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcohol. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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
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