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aerosol

[air-uh-sawl, -sol]
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noun
  1. Physical Chemistry. a system of colloidal particles dispersed in a gas; smoke or fog.
  2. a liquid substance, as a disinfectant or deodorant, sealed in a metal container under pressure with an inert gas or other activating agent and released as a spray or foam through a push-button valve or nozzle: an aerosol for cleaning ovens.
  3. aerosol bomb.
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adjective
  1. of or containing a liquid or gas under pressure for dispensing as a spray or foam: a deodorant available in aerosol cans.
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Origin of aerosol

First recorded in 1920–25; aero- + sol4
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

aerosolsprinklerfrothsplashfogmoisturedrizzledusterspindriftatomizervaporizerspray

Examples from the Web for aerosol

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • A drop or so of the aerosol on the skin is enough, I understand.

    Damned If You Don't

    Gordon Randall Garrett

  • She flinched and misted a cloud of aerosol capsicum ahead of her.

    Makers

    Cory Doctorow

  • Solvents and aerosol sprays also decrease the heart and respiratory rates, and impair judgment.

    What Works: Schools Without Drugs

    United States Department of Education

British Dictionary definitions for aerosol

aerosol

noun
  1. a colloidal dispersion of solid or liquid particles in a gas; smoke or fog
  2. a substance, such as a paint, polish, or insecticide, dispensed from a small metal container by a propellant under pressure
  3. Also called: air spray such a substance together with its container
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Word Origin

C20: from aero- + sol (ution)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for aerosol

n.

1919, from aero- "air" + first syllable in solution. A term in physics; modern commercial application is from 1940s.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
aerosol in Medicine

aerosol

(âr′ə-sôl′)
n.
  1. A gaseous suspension of fine solid or liquid particles.
  2. A substance, such as a drug containing therapeutically active ingredients, packaged under pressure with a gaseous propellant for release as a spray of fine particles.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
aerosol in Science

aerosol

[âr′ə-sôl′]
  1. A substance consisting of very fine particles of a liquid or solid suspended in a gas. Mist, which consists of very fine droplets of water in air, is an aerosol. Compare emulsion foam.
  2. A liquid substance, such as paint, an insecticide, or a hair spray, packaged under pressure for use or application as a fine spray.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.