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

This partnership introduced Sunoco Green E15, a biofuel blend consisting of 15 percent ethanol, across NASCAR's three national touring series. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

This leads us to reconsider ethanol’s ecological role and evolutionary impact in nature. —New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2024

An autopsy conducted on the victim later ruled that the cause of death was acute mixed ethanol and cocaine toxicity. —Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 28 Nov. 2024

For example, fruit flies intentionally lay their eggs in substances that have ethanol. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

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