1
a
: the rarefied element formerly believed to fill the upper regions of space
b
: the upper regions of space : heavens
2
a
: a light volatile flammable liquid C4H10O used chiefly as a solvent and especially formerly as an anesthetic
b
: any of a class of organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom attached to two carbon atoms
3
a
or less commonly aether : a medium that in the wave theory of light permeates all space and transmits transverse waves
b
etheric
i-ˈther-ik How to pronounce ether (audio)
-ˈthir-
adjective

Examples of ether in a Sentence

The balloon disappeared into the ether.
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.
Unlike bitcoin, ether and other cryptocurrencies, stablecoins are designed to have a stable value against a non-crypto asset, usually the U.S. dollar. Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025 And a January 2020 study indicated that one flame retardant—polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs—could affect a child’s intellectual development.4 That’s not to say nothing is being done or that zero guardrails are in place. Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 23 Apr. 2025 After a series of trials with ether, Morton conducted a public demonstration, which successfully numbed the patient’s pain and marked a major breakthrough in medical practice. Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025 Fidelity is already tinkering with a stablecoin under its digital assets division, which currently offers custody and trading for bitcoin, ether and litecoin. Nina Bambysheva, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ether

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin aether, from Greek aithēr, from aithein to ignite, blaze; akin to Old English ād pyre — more at edify

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ether was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ether.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ether. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

ether

noun
1
a
: an invisible substance once believed to fill the upper regions of space
b
: the upper regions of space : heavens
2
: an easily evaporated flammable liquid used chiefly to dissolve other substances and especially formerly as an anesthetic

Medical Definition

ether

noun
1
: a medium that in the wave theory of light permeates all space and transmits transverse waves
2
a
: a light volatile flammable liquid C4H10O used especially formerly chiefly as an anesthetic

called also diethyl ether, ethyl ether, ethyl oxide

b
: any of various organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom attached to two carbon atoms

More from Merriam-Webster on ether

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!