diesel

noun

die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

1

: diesel engine

2

: a vehicle driven by a diesel engine

3

: diesel fuel

Examples of diesel in a Sentence

Does your car take diesel or gasoline?

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, average diesel prices recorded their largest weekly jump since August 2023. —Miami Herald, 23 June 2025

Any closure might entail use of mines, patrol boats, aircraft, cruise missiles, and diesel submarines. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 June 2025

The freight shuttles’ hybrid propulsion system reduces emissions by 75 percent compared to diesel trucking, while also substantially slashing the cost of moving freight compared to conventional options. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 19 June 2025

Distinct from biodiesel — but also based on sustainable substances like vegetable oil — renewable diesel should not require any modifications to a diesel engine in order to flow and combust. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Rudolf Diesel

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diesel

• diesel-electric
• diesel engine
• diesel fuel

Rhymes for diesel

• biodiesel
• pedicel

Kids Definition

diesel

noun

die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

1

: diesel engine

2

: a vehicle (as a truck or train) driven by a diesel engine

3

: a fuel designed for use in diesel engines

Etymology

named for Rudolf Diesel 1858–1913 German engineer

Biographical Definition

Diesel

biographical name

Die·​sel ˈdē-zəl 

-səl

Rudolf 1858–1913 German mechanical engineer