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

The aerosol can also contain cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals and ultrafine particles that are damaging when inhaled deeply. —Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024

In the 1987, The Reagan administration helped to pass the Montreal Protocol, when countries signed on to phase out the consumption of over 100 ozone-depleting chemicals, many of them in aerosols and refrigerants. —Susan Atkinson, Hartford Courant, 20 Nov. 2024

The technique, also known as solar radiation management, encompasses a range of technologies including sunshields in space, marine cloud brightening and stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI). —Lara Williams, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024

Eligible travelers do not need to remove shoes, belts, light outerwear, laptops, electronics larger than a cellphone or travel-size liquids, aerosols and gels from carry-on luggage. —Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 13 Nov. 2024

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