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

The preliminary autopsy report lists causes of death as cardiopulmonary arrest in association with physical altercation and prone restraint, as well as acute intoxication by cocaine and ethanol. —Dennis Romero, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2024

Fischer has made ethanol issues a priority like many of her Midwestern colleagues, leading a bill last year to make a seasonal ethanol gasoline blend available year-round. —Zack Budryk, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024

Gasoline mixed with ethanol degrades even faster than pure gasoline and may not even last three months. —Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2024

And in 2020, his younger sister, Stefanie, died from ethanol poisoning. —Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 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