gasoline

noun

gas·​o·​line ˈga-sə-ˌlēn How to pronounce gasoline (audio)
ˌga-sə-ˈlēn
also -zə-
variants or less commonly gasolene
: a volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture used as a fuel especially for internal combustion engines and usually blended from several products of natural gas and petroleum
gasolinic
ˌga-sə-ˈlē-nik How to pronounce gasoline (audio)
-ˈli-
adjective

Examples of gasoline 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.
The couple then allegedly poured gasoline over the vehicle and set it on fire while Koza was still inside. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 And while gasoline prices will come down eventually, American taxpayers might be on the hook for military costs long after any peace deal is signed. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 1 July 2026 Russia is starting to import gasoline from India, Reuters reported, in a sign of the severity of Moscow’s fuel shortages. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 1 July 2026 According to Russian media, those include restrictions on gasoline sales in at least 20 Russian regions, and price hikes and supply disruptions in several more. — Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gasoline

Word History

Etymology

gas entry 1 + -ol entry 2 + -ine entry 2 or -ene

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gasoline was in 1865

Phrases Containing gasoline

Rhymes for gasoline

See All Rhymes for gasoline

Browse Nearby Words

gasolier
gasoline
gasoline-electric
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gasoline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gasoline. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gasoline

noun
gas·​o·​line ˈgas-ə-ˌlēn How to pronounce gasoline (audio)
ˌgas-ə-ˈlēn
: a flammable liquid produced usually by blending products from natural gas and petroleum and used especially as a fuel for engines

More from Merriam-Webster on gasoline

Nglish: Translation of gasoline for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gasoline

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