alcohol

American  

[al-kuh-hawl, -hol] / ˈæl kəˌhɔl, -ˌhɒl /

noun

1. Also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, ethanol.  Also called fermentation alcohol.  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.

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.

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alcohol British  

/ ˈælkəˌhɒl /

noun

1. Also called: ethanol.   ethyl 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. 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

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alcohol Scientific  

/ 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.

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Etymology

Origin of alcohol

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

Compare meaning

How does alcohol compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• witch hazel vs. alcohol
• hydroxyl vs. alcohol

Explanation

Alcohol is a distilled or fermented drink that can make you drunk. Beer, wine and vodka are all kinds of alcohol. Scientifically, alcohol is a liquid made up of distilled hydrocarbons that's also known as ethyl alcohol or ethanol — the same stuff found in solvents and car fuel. At the bar, alcohol is something you drink (as long as you're at least 21). Alcoholic beverages like whiskey and lager are produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugar and starches and have the power to make a person intoxicated.

Example Sentences

Instead of arguing the area lacks off-licences, they argued it lacks pubs, which lets them use the same licence to open a pub and sell alcohol to take away.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

Lidl's situation boils down to two rules: a fixed number of alcohol licences in existence and an 'inadequacy test'.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

The specimen was carefully preserved in alcohol and formalin before being shipped from the Galápagos to Chicago, where Voight examined it at the Field Museum.

From Science Daily • May 25, 2026

He illuminated the auditorium with candles and converted the private boxes into buffets stocked with alcohol, coffee, hot chocolate, sherbet and carved meats.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Like my parents, Mr. Pirzada took off his shoes before entering a room, chewed fennel seeds after meals as a digestive, drank no alcohol, for dessert dipped austere biscuits into successive cups of tea.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

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