aerosol

noun

aero·​sol ˈer-ə-ˌsäl How to pronounce aerosol (audio) -ˌsȯl How to pronounce aerosol (audio)
1
: a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas
Smoke, fog, and mist are aerosols.
airborne aerosol transmission of infective viral particles
also, aerosols plural : the fine particles of an aerosol
stratospheric aerosols
2
: a substance (such as an insecticide or medicine) dispensed from a pressurized container as an aerosol
also : the container for this

Examples of aerosol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dry shampoos are most commonly sold as aerosol sprays, though powder and foam versions are also available. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 July 2026 Warehouses are particularly vulnerable due to vast quantities of cardboard, textiles, plastics, aerosols, and batteries, which burn intensely and spread rapidly. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 The same goes for cleaning supplies, aerosol cans, or anything flammable or heat-sensitive. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 21 July 2026 Some previous thinking held that this needed to take place on a large scale — such as shooting aerosols from planes high in the stratosphere — and would require intricate global cooperation. — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for aerosol

Word History

Etymology

aero- + -sol (in hydrosol)

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aerosol was in 1923

Rhymes for aerosol

See All Rhymes for aerosol

Browse Nearby Words

aerosiderolite
aerosol
aerosol bomb
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aerosol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerosol. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

aerosol

noun
aero·​sol ˈar-ə-ˌsäl How to pronounce aerosol (audio) ˈer- How to pronounce aerosol (audio)
-ˌsȯl
: a mixture of fine solid or liquid particles and gas
smoke and fog are aerosols

Medical Definition

aerosol

noun
aero·​sol ˈar-ə-ˌsäl How to pronounce aerosol (audio) ˈer- How to pronounce aerosol (audio)
-ˌsȯl
1
: a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas
smoke, fog, and mist are aerosols
2
: a substance (as an insecticide or medicine) dispensed from a pressurized container as an aerosol
also : the container for this

More from Merriam-Webster on aerosol

Nglish: Translation of aerosol for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aerosol

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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