alcohol

noun

al·​co·​hol ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl How to pronounce alcohol (audio)
1
a
: ethanol especially when considered as the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors
b
: drink (such as whiskey or beer) containing ethanol
c
: a mixture of ethanol and water that is usually 95 percent ethanol
2
: any of a class of organic (see organic entry 1 sense 1b(2)) compounds that are analogous to ethanol and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons

Examples of alcohol in a Sentence

cough medicine that contains alcohol drinks that are high in alcohol There was a high level of alcohol in his blood at the time of the accident. a mixture of different alcohols The restaurant had a license to serve alcohol.
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.
People reports that about $1 million dollars worth of alcohol from Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagar’s tequila brand Santo were stolen from two trucks taking the shipment to California and Pennsylvania. Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024 That may reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol the same way the drugs work on food cravings, Hendershot said. Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024 As for alcohol, Caspara says there are certain short-chain alcohols like isopropyl and ethanol that can dry out the scalp by quickly evaporating and pulling moisture away from the skin. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024 Flat Top Grill The restaurant chain is offering 20% off the in-store tab (excluding alcohol) for those who stop in with their sticker. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for alcohol 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin, powdered antimony, from Old Spanish, from Arabic al-kuḥul the powdered antimony, from kuḥl kohl

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of alcohol was in 1672

Dictionary Entries Near alcohol

Cite this Entry

“Alcohol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcohol. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

alcohol

noun
al·​co·​hol ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl How to pronounce alcohol (audio)
1
a
: ethanol especially when used as the substance in fermented or distilled liquors (as beer or whiskey) that can make one drunk
b
: drink (as beer, wine, or whiskey) containing ethanol
2
: any of various carbon compounds that are similar to ethanol in having one or more hydroxyl groups

Medical Definition

alcohol

noun
al·​co·​hol ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl How to pronounce alcohol (audio)
1
a
: ethanol especially when considered as the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors
b
: drink (as whiskey or beer) containing ethanol
c
: a mixture of ethanol and water that is usually 95 percent ethanol
2
: any of various compounds that are analogous to ethanol in constitution and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons

More from Merriam-Webster on alcohol

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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