ethanol
noun
eth·a·nol
ˈe-thə-ˌnȯl 
-ˌnōl
-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
Corn is also the backbone of the country’s ethanol industry.
—
E.j. Antoni, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Biomass energy includes the burning of wood, human and animal waste, and agricultural crops for heat and electricity and the converting of such crops as corn and soybeans into liquid biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Anything with a carburetor, anything with old rubber, primitive rubber, ethanol can leave like a varnish behind and gum up carburetors very easily.
—Kyle Cheromcha, The Drive, 1 Apr. 2026
However, ethanol has become the backbone of the daily commute.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ethanol
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E.j. Antoni, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Biomass energy includes the burning of wood, human and animal waste, and agricultural crops for heat and electricity and the converting of such crops as corn and soybeans into liquid biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Anything with a carburetor, anything with old rubber, primitive rubber, ethanol can leave like a varnish behind and gum up carburetors very easily.
—Kyle Cheromcha, The Drive, 1 Apr. 2026
However, ethanol has become the backbone of the daily commute.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ethanol
Cite this Entry
“Ethanol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethanol. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
-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 1Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
