ethanol

noun

eth·​a·​nol ˈe-thə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

 British also  ˈē-

: a colorless volatile flammable liquid C₂H₅OH that is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also used as a solvent and in fuel

called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol

Examples of ethanol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Future Hybrid System features a pre-chamber ignition and supports gasoline, E85 ethanol, M100 methanol, and synthetic fuels, with market introduction targeted for 2027. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025

According to Haschemie, a lab test revealed that the tequila contains ethanol that was not derived from Blue Weber agave, and instead from plants like corn and sugarcane. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025

According to the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office, in October 2023, Reece's death was ruled an accident resulting from acute toxicity due to a combination of cocaine, ethanol (alcohol), and MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy or Molly). —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025

The Aquastroke engine runs on a combination of 70% plain water and 30% bio-alcohol (either ethanol or methanol). —Jim Vinoski, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ethanol

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

Kids Definition

ethanol

noun

eth·​a·​nol ˈeth-ə-ˌnȯl 

-ˌnōl

: a colorless flammable easily evaporated liquid that is used to dissolve things and that is the substance in fermented and distilled liquors that can make one drunk

called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol

Medical Definition

ethanol

noun

eth·​a·​nol ˈeth-ə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

: a colorless volatile flammable liquid C₂H₅OH that is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also used as a solvent

called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol

see alcohol sense 1