aerosol

noun

aero·​sol ˈer-ə-ˌsäl  -ˌsȯl 

1

: a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas

Smoke, fog, and mist are aerosols.

airborne aerosol transmission of infective viral particles

also, aerosols plural : the fine particles of an aerosol

stratospheric aerosols

2

: a substance (such as an insecticide or medicine) dispensed from a pressurized container as an aerosol

also : the container for this

Examples of aerosol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Or are the effects of aerosols specific to the idiosyncrasies of lightning generation? —Chris Wright, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025

Spencer Platt/Getty Images From soft drinks and beer to aerosols and shelf-stable soups, many everyday grocery items sold in steel and aluminum cans could be in store for a price hike. —Joe Hernandez, NPR, 20 Feb. 2025

Atmospheric aerosols are tiny particles that reflect sunlight into space and reduce global temperatures. —Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2025

In April 2022, police said, Martin was charged with assault for throwing an aerosol can at an NYPD traffic agent. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

aero- + -sol (in hydrosol)

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for aerosol

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

Kids Definition

aerosol

noun

aero·​sol ˈar-ə-ˌsäl  ˈer- 

-ˌsȯl

: a mixture of fine solid or liquid particles and gas

smoke and fog are aerosols

Medical Definition

aerosol

noun

aero·​sol ˈar-ə-ˌsäl  ˈer- 

-ˌsȯl

1

: a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas

smoke, fog, and mist are aerosols

2

: a substance (as an insecticide or medicine) dispensed from a pressurized container as an aerosol

also : the container for this