alcohol

noun

al·​co·​hol ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl How to pronounce alcohol (audio)
1
a
: ethanol especially when considered as the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors
b
: drink (such as whiskey or beer) containing ethanol
c
: a mixture of ethanol and water that is usually 95 percent ethanol
2
: any of a class of organic (see organic entry 1 sense 1b(2)) compounds that are analogous to ethanol and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons

Examples of alcohol in a Sentence

cough medicine that contains alcohol drinks that are high in alcohol There was a high level of alcohol in his blood at the time of the accident. a mixture of different alcohols The restaurant had a license to serve alcohol.
Recent Examples on the Web Sweating bullets, pounding alcohol, to just try to numb the nerves, but always just walk away high and marveling at the moment and getting to be around these people that are so inspiring. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2024 The hair and the face and the poise unscathed from the nefarious effects of alcohol. Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2024 Eighteen years ago, the Passion of the Christ director was pulled in Malibu and later booked for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024 Deputies, who suspected the driver was impaired and saw an open container of alcohol in the car, conducted field sobriety tests and took other investigative measures, according to Burnett. Dalia Faheid, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for alcohol 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alcohol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin, powdered antimony, from Old Spanish, from Arabic al-kuḥul the powdered antimony, from kuḥl kohl

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of alcohol was in 1672

Dictionary Entries Near alcohol

Cite this Entry

“Alcohol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcohol. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

alcohol

noun
al·​co·​hol ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl How to pronounce alcohol (audio)
1
a
: ethanol especially when used as the substance in fermented or distilled liquors (as beer or whiskey) that can make one drunk
b
: drink (as beer, wine, or whiskey) containing ethanol
2
: any of various carbon compounds that are similar to ethanol in having one or more hydroxyl groups

Medical Definition

alcohol

noun
al·​co·​hol ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl How to pronounce alcohol (audio)
1
a
: ethanol especially when considered as the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors
b
: drink (as whiskey or beer) containing ethanol
c
: a mixture of ethanol and water that is usually 95 percent ethanol
2
: any of various compounds that are analogous to ethanol in constitution and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons

More from Merriam-Webster on alcohol

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