ethanol

noun

eth·​a·​nol ˈe-thə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

 British also  ˈē-

: a colorless volatile flammable liquid C₂H₅OH that is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also used as a solvent and in fuel

called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol

Examples of ethanol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her previous think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation, has opposed efforts to curb fossil fuels, as well as farm subsidies and ethanol mandates, which both have traditionally garnered bipartisan support in Congress. —Linda Qiu, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

During the first stage of fermentation, yeasts are added to convert the natural sugars in the apple juice into ethanol (aka alcohol), similar to how beer or wine is made. —Annie Peterson, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2025

Since this test looks for a specific by-product of alcohol rather than ethanol, the results are more accurate than a basic ethanol test. —Steffini Stalos, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2025

Depending on how severely someone has been poisoned, they may be given ethanol and undergo dialysis to remove methanol from the blood. —Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ethanol

noun

eth·​a·​nol ˈeth-ə-ˌnȯl 

-ˌnōl

: a colorless flammable easily evaporated liquid that is used to dissolve things and that is the substance in fermented and distilled liquors that can make one drunk

called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol

Medical Definition

ethanol

noun

eth·​a·​nol ˈeth-ə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

: a colorless volatile flammable liquid C₂H₅OH that is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also used as a solvent

called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol

see alcohol sense 1