aerosol
noun
aero·sol
ˈer-ə-ˌsäl 
-ˌsȯl
-ˌsȯl
1
: a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas
Smoke, fog, and mist are aerosols.
airborne aerosol transmission of infective viral particles
also, aerosols plural
: the fine particles of an aerosol
stratospheric aerosols
2
: a substance (such as an insecticide or medicine) dispensed from a pressurized container as an aerosol
also
: the container for this
Examples of aerosol in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When aerosols such as sea spray or smoke are inhaled, the fine particles can reach deep into the body, entering the bloodstream and even the brain when the particles are small enough.
—
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
This process would involve spraying aerosols into the atmosphere to thin or eliminate cirrus clouds, allowing more longwave radiation to leave Earth.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2025
In turn, this increases the creation of aerosols–the particles that give water vapour a surface to condense upon.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
That process is scientifically important here on the surface, Browne says, because those reactions eventually create tiny particles called aerosols that seed clouds, making dimethyl sulfide an important compound to understand for climate models and other atmospheric science.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aerosol
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Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
This process would involve spraying aerosols into the atmosphere to thin or eliminate cirrus clouds, allowing more longwave radiation to leave Earth.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2025
In turn, this increases the creation of aerosols–the particles that give water vapour a surface to condense upon.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
That process is scientifically important here on the surface, Browne says, because those reactions eventually create tiny particles called aerosols that seed clouds, making dimethyl sulfide an important compound to understand for climate models and other atmospheric science.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aerosol
Cite this Entry
“Aerosol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerosol. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aerosol
noun
aero·sol
ˈar-ə-ˌsäl
ˈer-
ˈer-
-ˌsȯl
: a mixture of fine solid or liquid particles and gas
smoke and fog are aerosols
Medical Definition
aerosol
noun
aero·sol
ˈar-ə-ˌsäl
ˈer-
ˈer-
-ˌsȯl
1
: a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas
smoke, fog, and mist are aerosols
2
: a substance (as an insecticide or medicine) dispensed from a pressurized container as an aerosol
also
: the container for this
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