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.
President Donald Trump is moving to undo many Biden-era regulations on diesel truck emissions and incentives meant to encourage an EV transition, and his tariff policies are likely to depress the freight industry. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025 Cheaper oil is generally good for consumers and businesses that use gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Rebecca F. Elliott, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025 Natural gas has the opportunity to compete with coal, diesel, and other inefficient power sources across the globe, delivering cleaner and cheaper power. Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025 These are industrial operations dependent on fossil fuels not just as diesel for tractors, but also for large quantities of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diesel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diesel. Accessed 29 Apr. 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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