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
Innovation resolves the key challenge of e-mobility MAHLE is also showcasing components for internal combustion engines that can be operated on up to 100% ethanol, massively and immediately reducing the carbon dioxide emissions of the existing vehicle pool.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2025
Sugarcane is a very efficient ethanol crop, which isn't grown in the Amazon, and Brazil has a strong sustainability agenda in both energy and marine.
—Michaila Byrne, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Nature is rife with naturally occurring ethanol, particularly from ripening fruit, and that fruit in turn is consumed by various microorganisms and animal species.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
The study suggests that humans' attraction to alcohol could stem from an evolutionary link between ethanol and fruits eaten by wild animals.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2025
Sugarcane is a very efficient ethanol crop, which isn't grown in the Amazon, and Brazil has a strong sustainability agenda in both energy and marine.
—Michaila Byrne, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Nature is rife with naturally occurring ethanol, particularly from ripening fruit, and that fruit in turn is consumed by various microorganisms and animal species.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
The study suggests that humans' attraction to alcohol could stem from an evolutionary link between ethanol and fruits eaten by wild animals.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ethanol
Cite this Entry
“Ethanol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethanol. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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
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