ether

noun

ˈē-thər 

1

a

: the rarefied element formerly believed to fill the upper regions of space

b

: the upper regions of space : heavens

2

a

: a light volatile flammable liquid C₄H₁₀O used chiefly as a solvent and especially formerly as an anesthetic

b

: any of a class of organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom attached to two carbon atoms

3

a

or less commonly aether

ˈē-thər 

: a medium that in the wave theory of light permeates all space and transmits transverse waves

b

: airwaves

etheric

i-ˈther-ik 

-ˈthir-

adjective

Examples of ether in a Sentence

The balloon disappeared into the ether.

Recent Examples on the Web

Other major digital assets have also jumped from their Monday lows, including ether, which is up 17% from the start of the week, XRP, which is up 38%, and Solana, which is up 28%. —Derek Saul, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

And there, in that space between her chair and the bird hat, that’s where The Thought lived: a splendid ether, where love and gratitude resonated. —Murr Brewster, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2024

That's good for crypto users, but not so good for ether holders. —Brady Dale, Axios, 25 Nov. 2024

The Trust's financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and the Trust seeks to reflect the performance of the price of ether before payment of expenses and liabilities. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin aether, from Greek aithēr, from aithein to ignite, blaze; akin to Old English ād pyre — more at edify

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ether

• diethyl ether
• ether extract
• ethyl ether
• into the ether
• over/through the ether
• the ether

Kids Definition

ether

noun

ˈē-thər 

1

a

: an invisible substance once believed to fill the upper regions of space

b

: the upper regions of space : heavens

2

: an easily evaporated flammable liquid used chiefly to dissolve other substances and especially formerly as an anesthetic

Medical Definition

ether

noun

ˈē-thər 

1

: a medium that in the wave theory of light permeates all space and transmits transverse waves

2

a

: a light volatile flammable liquid C₄H₁₀O used especially formerly chiefly as an anesthetic

called also diethyl ether, ethyl ether, ethyl oxide

b

: any of various organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom attached to two carbon atoms