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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
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Word History
First Known Use
1892, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ethanol
Cite this Entry
“Ethanol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethanol. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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 1More from Merriam-Webster on ethanol
Nglish: Translation of ethanol for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ethanol
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