methanol

noun

meth·​a·​nol ˈme-thə-ˌnȯl 

-ˌnōl

: a light volatile flammable poisonous liquid alcohol CH₃OH used especially as a solvent, antifreeze, or denaturant for ethanol and in the synthesis of other chemicals

Examples of methanol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If not treated, fatality rates are reported to be 20% to 40%, depending on the concentration of the methanol and the amount ingested, according to medical charity Doctors Without Borders, which tracks cases of methanol poisoning globally. —Helen Regan, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024

The early stages of methanol poisoning can resemble typical alcohol intoxication. —Juliana Kim, NPR, 23 Nov. 2024

Loading your audio article At least four tourists, including a U.S. citizen, have died after seemingly consuming alcohol tainted with methanol while traveling in Laos, officials said. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 21 Nov. 2024

Sometimes, methanol is added to cheap or counterfeit alcoholic drinks to boost their alcohol content, but this can be very dangerous. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

methanol

noun

meth·​a·​nol ˈmeth-ə-ˌnȯl 

-ˌnōl

: a light flammable poisonous liquid alcohol that consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and is used especially as antifreeze and to dissolve things

Medical Definition

methanol

noun

meth·​a·​nol ˈmeth-ə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

: a light volatile pungent flammable poisonous liquid alcohol CH₃OH formed in the destructive distillation of wood or made synthetically and used especially as a solvent, antifreeze, or denaturant for ethanol and in the synthesis of other chemicals

called also carbinol, methyl alcohol, wood alcohol