alcohol

noun

al·​co·​hol ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl 

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

Synonyms

• aqua vitae
• ardent spirits
• booze
• bottle
• drink
• firewater
• grog
• hooch [slang]
• inebriant
• intoxicant
• John Barleycorn
• juice [slang]
• liquor
• lush [slang]
• moonshine
• potable
• rum
• sauce [slang]
• spirits
• stimulant
• strong drink
• tipple

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

Holiday gatherings with family and friends often feature alcohol as a staple of the festivities. —Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 12 Dec. 2024

Three people with knowledge of Hegseth’s time at CVA told The New Yorker he was forced to step down from his role there in part because of his abuse of alcohol on the job. —Sara Dorn, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Johnny and Matthew were biking on Country Route 551 North just after 8 p.m. when Higgins, suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, allegedly attempted to pass another car and fatally hit the brothers, New Jersey State Police told PEOPLE. —Natasha Dye, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024

Has your consumption of alcohol, cannabis, cigarettes or other substances changed? —Katia Hetter, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing alcohol

• alcohol by volume
• alcohol use disorder
• amyl alcohol
• anti-alcohol
• butyl alcohol
• cetyl alcohol
• ethyl alcohol
• fetal alcohol syndrome
• grain alcohol
• isopropyl alcohol
• lauryl alcohol
• methyl alcohol
• polyvinyl alcohol
• rubbing alcohol
• vinyl alcohol
• wood alcohol

Kids Definition

alcohol

noun

al·​co·​hol ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl 

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 

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