methanol
noun
meth·a·nol
ˈme-thə-ˌnȯl 
-ˌnōl
: a light volatile flammable poisonous liquid alcohol CH3OH used especially as a solvent, antifreeze, or denaturant for ethanol and in the synthesis of other chemicals
Examples of methanol in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Just small amounts of methanol can cause blindness, nausea and vomiting, while drinking as little as 30 milliliters (1 ounce) can be lethal.
—
Helen Regan, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
Spikes in methanol poisonings are common in Iran, where ordinary alcohol can’t be sold or consumed and bootleggers often use industrial methanol to produce homemade alcoholic drinks instead.
—Bykai Kupferschmidt, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024
News outlets had reported the cause of the foreigners’ illness was suspected alcohol poisoning, similar to a case in Laos last month in which six tourists — including two Australian teenagers — died after consuming drinks tainted with methanol.
—Rod McGuirk, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
The production of methanol increased when exposed to visible light and higher temperatures, conditions that would have been present in early Earth's hot springs.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
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Helen Regan, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
Spikes in methanol poisonings are common in Iran, where ordinary alcohol can’t be sold or consumed and bootleggers often use industrial methanol to produce homemade alcoholic drinks instead.
—Bykai Kupferschmidt, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024
News outlets had reported the cause of the foreigners’ illness was suspected alcohol poisoning, similar to a case in Laos last month in which six tourists — including two Australian teenagers — died after consuming drinks tainted with methanol.
—Rod McGuirk, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
The production of methanol increased when exposed to visible light and higher temperatures, conditions that would have been present in early Earth's hot springs.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for methanol
Cite this Entry
“Methanol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methanol. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
methanol
noun
meth·a·nol
ˈmeth-ə-ˌnȯl
-ˌnōl
: a light flammable poisonous liquid alcohol that consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and is used especially as antifreeze and to dissolve things
Medical Definition
methanol
noun
meth·a·nol
ˈmeth-ə-ˌnȯl
-ˌnōl
-ˌnōl
: a light volatile pungent flammable poisonous liquid alcohol CH3OH formed in the destructive distillation of wood or made synthetically and used especially as a solvent, antifreeze, or denaturant for ethanol and in the synthesis of other chemicals
called also carbinol, methyl alcohol, wood alcohol
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