aerosol

American  

[air-uh-sawl, -sol] / ˈɛər əˌsɔl, -ˌsɒl /

noun

1. Physical Chemistry. a system of colloidal particles dispersed in a gas and commonly formed as smoke, fog, mist, haze, or smog.

   a radioactive aerosol;

   aerosols in the stratosphere.

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. Physiology, Pathology. a mist that lingers in the air, composed of fine particles (less than 5 micrometers in diameter) that form from the evaporation of respiratory droplets (5–10 micrometers in diameter) released into the air through talking, breathing, singing, whistling, coughing, sneezing, etc..

   Recommended precautions against virus-laden aerosols vary according to the type of virus.

4. 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.

aerosol British  

/ ˈɛərəˌsɒl /

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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aerosol Scientific  

/ 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.

2. Compare emulsion foam

3. 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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Etymology

Origin of aerosol

First recorded in 1920–25; aero- + sol ⁴

Example Sentences

The findings help resolve a disagreement among climate modelers about whether the South Greenland cooling is primarily caused by ocean dynamics or by atmospheric influences such as aerosol pollution.

From Science Daily

In a typical scene, Miss Holland, played by Van der Velden with milkmaid braids and hairy armpits, chokes on the aerosol of a spray tan.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rainmaker developed its own aerosol dispersal system, which avoids flares and the additional chemicals they produce, and targets specific clouds with the right atmospheric conditions with a fleet of nimble drones.

From The Wall Street Journal

These aerosols create clouds with many small droplets, which reflect more sunlight and increase cooling at the surface.

From Science Daily

"But we never came this far. We found out that the laser we are using is itself charging our aerosol particles."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• sprayer
• sprinkler