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 210,000-metric-ton ships will use ethanol, methanol or conventional heavy fuel oil for propulsion. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

In conventional bioethanol production, microorganisms ferment sugars and convert them into ethanol, which can then be recovered and used as a fuel or as an ingredient in other industrial products. — New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026

Canada also has held off for now on tariffs against ethanol motor fuel made from corn. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

The outlet noted that Keith had ketamine, the chemical compound mitragynine — which is found in the herbal extract kratom — nicotine, and ethanol in his body. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ethanol

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol
• guaiacol

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