alcohol

[ al-kuh-hawl, -hol ]

noun

1. Also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, ethanol,. a colorless, limpid, volatile, flammable, water-miscible liquid, C 2 H 5 OH, having an etherlike odor and pungent, burning taste, the intoxicating principle of fermented liquors, produced by yeast fermentation of certain carbohydrates, as grains, molasses, starch, or sugar, or obtained synthetically by hydration of ethylene or as a by-product of certain hydrocarbon syntheses: used chiefly as a solvent in the extraction of specific substances, in beverages, medicines, organic synthesis, lotions, tonics, colognes, rubbing compounds, as an automobile radiator antifreeze, and as a rocket fuel. Compare denatured alcohol, methyl alcohol.
2. whiskey, gin, vodka, or any other intoxicating liquor containing this liquid.
3. Chemistry. any of a class of chemical compounds having the general formula ROH, where R represents an alkyl group and –OH a hydroxyl group, as in methyl alcohol, CH 3 OH, or ethyl alcohol, C 2 H 5 OH.

alcohol

/ ˈælkəˌhɒl /

noun

1. Also calledethanolethyl alcohol a colourless flammable liquid, the active principle of intoxicating drinks, produced by the fermentation of sugars, esp glucose, and used as a solvent and in the manufacture of organic chemicals. Formula: C 2 H 5 OH
2. a drink or drinks containing this substance
3. See phenol, triol, diol
   chem any one of a class of organic compounds that contain one or more hydroxyl groups bound to carbon atoms. The simplest alcohols have the formula ROH, where R is an alkyl group Compare phenol See also diol triol

alcohol

/ ăl′kə-hôl′ /

1. Any of a large number of colorless, flammable organic compounds that contain the hydroxyl group (OH) and that form esters with acids. Alcohols are used as solvents and for manufacturing dyes, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals. Simple alcohols, such as methanol and ethanol, are water-soluble liquids, while more complex ones, like cetyl alcohol, are waxy solids. Names of alcohols usually end in –ol.
2. Ethanol.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alcohol¹

1535–45; < New Latin < Medieval Latin < Arabic al-kuḥl the powdered antimony, the distillate

Word History and Origins

Origin of alcohol¹

C16: via New Latin from Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-kuhl powdered antimony; see kohl

Example Sentences

In Davidson County, bars that derive a majority of their revenue from alcohol sales also closed, and will not reopen for at at least two weeks.

From Eater

It’s dangerous to add scents with food flavors to hand sanitizers which children could think smells like food, eat and get alcohol poisoning.

From Ars Technica

He noted that California reported a spike in reports of alcohol delivery to minors in April.

From Fortune

The Culture Trip reoriented its advertising strategy around streaming services, alcohol and groceries, vp of global sales Kate Glover said.

From Digiday

In 2018, US venture capital investment in cannabis companies topped $900 million, and the combined value of roughly 200 merger and acquisition deals was more than $15 billion—more than a third of which came from tobacco and alcohol companies.

From Quartz

Alcohol and sugar, even in moderate amounts, are not only sinful but poisonous.

From The Daily Beast

Nobody ever says they want to become a cop so they can bust people for urinating in public or drinking alcohol on their stoop.

From The Daily Beast

Their logic: the sea-creature would come alive and drink up any remaining alcohol.

From The Daily Beast

You spice it with blues and skiffle music, and pickle it in alcohol and tobacco smoke.

From The Daily Beast

They want to change bad behaviors—tobacco, alcohol, using a seat belt, anything.

From The Daily Beast

The metal is then removed, and washed successively with very dilute sodium hydroxid solution, alcohol, and ether.

From Project Gutenberg

Those stains which are dissolved in methyl-alcohol combine fixation with the staining process.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a white crystalline fusible solid, insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol and in solutions of the alkalies.

From Project Gutenberg

When this is boiled with alcohol, the glutin above referred to is extracted, and vegetable fibrine is left.

From Project Gutenberg

A few minutes later he reappeared with the glass, followed almost directly by the chauffeur with the alcohol and lime water.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• booze
• drink
• ethanol
• liquor
• methanol
• smoke