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

Dove Dry Shampoo for $7: Another drugstore stalwart, this aerosol spray proved difficult to blend, and there's no readily available information as to whether the company has addressed its benzene recall. —Kat Merck, WIRED, 17 Jan. 2025

But clouds are typically a response to other factors that influence the climate, such as the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere and the aerosols present to seed water droplets. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2025

This is the dispersion of aerosols like fireworks or industrial pollutants that are inhibited by surface-level temperatures either the same or higher in the atmosphere up to a couple thousand feet. . —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 2 Jan. 2025

And soap and water are best for cleaning, rather than aerosols or chemical cleaners that may interact with some of the chemicals in ash. —Jen Christensen, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

aero- + -sol (in hydrosol)

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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