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 The Riverside County Coroner’s office will conduct a toxicology report to determine whether drugs or alcohol played a factor in her death, CHP Officer Jonathan Torres said. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 The packages typically range from more limited soda or coffee packages to those that cover a wide range of alcohol and other drinks. Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 Sanitize a sharp pair of pruning shears with alcohol. Patricia S York, Southern Living, 18 Mar. 2024 The University of Maryland has lifted a two-week ban on events with alcohol and socializing with recruits at several dozen fraternities and sororities, saying its investigation into reports of dangerous activity was complete. Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 According to documents, officers discovered an open container of alcohol in the Charger, and Capilla himself emitted the scent of alcohol. The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024 The Canadian actor — who has dealt with alcohol and drug abuse for nearly three decades — recently spoke to Page Six about his ongoing recovery. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 The 25-year-old credits the slick rhymes on the trunk-rattling single to the alcohol flowing through him during a November studio session in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 This includes the misuse of alcohol and stimulants, like cocaine or methamphetamines. Jessica Van Egeren, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alcohol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 Mar. 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

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