aerosol

noun

aero·​sol ˈer-ə-ˌsäl  -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

Marco Antonio Rubio, 36, is accused of the spate of fires that began around 1 p.m. on Sunday with the use of a lighter and an aerosol can to set them, Santa Monica police said in a news release. —Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025

In Osgood Perkins’ earliest films, evil spread through each frame like a mist of toxic aerosols. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 7 Feb. 2025

Atmospheric aerosols are tiny particles that can reflect sunlight back into space and reduce global temperatures. —Dan Peck, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025

For example, sulfur aerosols are emitted by ship engines and power plants. —Annalisa Bracco, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

aero- + -sol (in hydrosol)

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for aerosol

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

Kids Definition

aerosol

noun

aero·​sol ˈar-ə-ˌsäl  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- 

-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