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Synonyms

diesel

1 American  
[dee-zuhl, -suhl] / ˈdi zəl, -səl /
Or Diesel

adjective

  1. noting a machine or vehicle powered by a diesel engine.

    diesel locomotive.

  2. of or relating to a diesel engine.

    diesel fuel.

noun

  1. diesel engine.

  2. a vehicle powered by a diesel engine.

  3. diesel fuel.

Diesel 2 American  
[dee-zuhl, -suhl] / ˈdi zəl, -səl /

noun

  1. Rudolf 1858–1913, German automotive engineer.

diesel 1 British  
/ ˈdiːzəl /

noun

  1. See diesel engine

  2. a ship, locomotive, lorry, etc, driven by a diesel engine

  3. informal short for diesel oil

  4. slang any cola drink

    spook and diesel

  5. See suck

"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
Diesel 2 British  
/ ˈdiːzəl /

noun

  1. Rudolf (ˈruːdɔlf). 1858–1913, German engineer, who invented the diesel engine (1892)

"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

Etymology

Origin of diesel

After R. Diesel, the engine's inventor

Explanation

A diesel is a type of engine that produces enough heat to burn fuel and power a vehicle. Most diesels run on very thick, heavy oil. Large trucks use diesels — also known as diesel engines — and so do some cars, trains, and ships. The earliest diesel was developed in the late 19th century, and its invention is credited to the German engineer Rudolph Diesel, although other inventors laid the groundwork with their development of a very similar type of engine.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Farmers say the rising cost of red diesel is making them reconsider whether to plant future crops.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Petrol and diesel costs have also risen sharply.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

There is a strong likelihood of the Indian government lifting petrol and diesel prices after state elections end on April 29, the analyst says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Lindsday Australia has raised fuel levies to pass on a more than 70% rise in diesel prices since February to customers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

I sat in the passenger seat of his truck, listening to the engine rev as it guzzled diesel, watching the yellow lines disappear beneath the hood.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.