diesel

noun

die·​sel ˈdē-zəl How to pronounce diesel (audio)
-səl
1
2
: a vehicle driven by a diesel engine
3

Examples of diesel in a Sentence

Does your car take diesel or gasoline?
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.
Aromas of cherries, peat, diesel, pumpkin pie and red plums. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 In an initial assessment released last year, the air board projected that the changes could raise the price of gasoline by 47 cents per gallon next year and of diesel by 59 cents. Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025 The diesel spill saturated the surrounding soil and extended past containment measures. James Powel, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025 In December, Nabors and e2 announced a partnership to develop products to electrify oil fields that rely on diesel generators. Katie Fehrenbacher, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diesel

Word History

Etymology

Rudolf Diesel

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diesel was in 1894

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Cite this Entry

“Diesel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diesel. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

diesel

noun
die·​sel ˈdē-zəl How to pronounce diesel (audio)
-səl
1
2
: a vehicle (as a truck or train) driven by a diesel engine
3
: a fuel designed for use in diesel engines
Etymology

named for Rudolf Diesel 1858–1913 German engineer

Biographical Definition

Diesel

biographical name

Die·​sel ˈdē-zəl How to pronounce Diesel (audio)
-səl
Rudolf 1858–1913 German mechanical engineer

More from Merriam-Webster on diesel

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