gas

American  

[gas] / gæs /

noun

gases, plural gasses plural

1. Physics. a substance possessing perfect molecular mobility and the property of indefinite expansion, as opposed to a solid or liquid.

2. any such fluid or mixture of fluids.

3. any such fluid used as an anesthetic, as nitrous oxide.

   Did the dentist give you gas for your extraction?

4. any such combustible fluid used as fuel.

   Light the gas in the oven.

5. Automotive.

   1. gasoline.

   2. Also called gas pedal.  the foot-operated accelerator of an automotive vehicle.

      Take your foot off the gas.

6. flatus.

7. Coal Mining. an explosive mixture of firedamp with air.

8. an aeriform fluid or a mistlike assemblage of fine particles suspended in air, used in warfare to asphyxiate, poison, or stupefy an enemy.

9. Slang.

   1. empty talk.

   2. a person or thing that is very entertaining, pleasing, or successful.

      The party was an absolute gas, and we loved it.

   3. a person or thing that affects one strongly.

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verb (used with object)

gasses, present (3rd person singular) gassed, past participle, past gassing present participle

1. to supply with gas.

2. to overcome, poison, or asphyxiate with gas or fumes.

3. to singe (yarns or fabrics) with a gas flame to remove superfluous fibers.

4. to treat or impregnate with gas.

5. Slang.

   1. to talk nonsense or falsehood to.

   2. to amuse or affect strongly.

      Her weird clothes really gas me.

verb (used without object)

gasses, present (3rd person singular) gassed, past participle, past gassing present participle

1. to give off gas, as a storage battery being charged.

2. Slang.

   1. to indulge in idle, empty talk.

   2. to become drunk (often followed byup ).

verb phrase

1. gas up to fill the gasoline tank of an automobile, truck, or other vehicle.

idioms

1. step on the gas, to increase the speed of one's movement or activity; hurry.

   We'd better step on the gas or we'll be late for the concert.

gas British  

/ ɡæs /

noun

1. a substance in a physical state in which it does not resist change of shape and will expand indefinitely to fill any container. If very high pressure is applied a gas may become liquid or solid, otherwise its density tends towards that of the condensed phase Compare liquid solid

2. any substance that is gaseous at room temperature and atmospheric pressure

3. any gaseous substance that is above its critical temperature and therefore not liquefiable by pressure alone Compare vapour

4. 1. a fossil fuel in the form of a gas, used as a source of domestic and industrial heat See also coal gas natural gas

   2. ( as modifier )

      a gas cooker

      gas fire

5. a gaseous anaesthetic, such as nitrous oxide

6. mining firedamp or the explosive mixture of firedamp and air

7. the usual US, Canadian, and New Zealand word for petrol See also gasoline

8. informal

   1. to increase the speed of a motor vehicle; accelerate

   2. to hurry

9. a toxic or suffocating substance in suspension in air used against an enemy

10. informal idle talk or boasting

11. slang a delightful or successful person or thing

    his latest record is a gas

12. an informal name for flatus

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verb

1. (tr) to provide or fill with gas

2. (tr) to subject to gas fumes, esp so as to asphyxiate or render unconscious

3. (intr) to give off gas, as in the charging of a battery

4. (tr) (in textiles) to singe (fabric) with a flame from a gas burner to remove unwanted fibres

5. informal to talk in an idle or boastful way (to a person)

6. slang (tr) to thrill or delight

gas Scientific  

/ găs /

1. One of four main states of matter, composed of molecules in constant random motion. Unlike a solid, a gas has no fixed shape and will take on the shape of the space available. Unlike a liquid, the intermolecular forces are very small; it has no fixed volume and will expand to fill the space available.

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gas Cultural  

1. In physics, one of the phases of matter. The atoms or molecules in gases are more widely spaced than in solids or liquids and suffer only occasional collisions with one another.

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gas More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing gas

• cook with gas
• run out of steam (gas)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• gasless
  adjective
• nongas
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• gasses
  plural
• gases
  plural

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have gassed
  perfect
• has gassed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have been gassing
  perfect progressive
• has been gassing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is gassing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am gassing
  progressive 1st person singular
• gasses
  singular 3rd person
• are gassing
  progressive
• gassing
  participle

Past

• had gassed
  perfect
• had been gassing
  perfect progressive
• were gassing
  progressive plural
• gassed
  simple
• was gassing
  progressive singular
• gassed
  participle

Future

• will gas
  simple
• will have gassed
  perfect
• will have been gassing
  perfect progressive
• will be gassing
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of gas

First recorded in 1650–60; coined by J. B. van Helmont (1577–1644), Flemish chemist; suggested by Greek cháos “atmosphere”

Explanation

Matter can be found in solid, liquid, or gas form. The air you breathe in and the carbon dioxide you breathe out, are both examples of gas. Gasoline is a kind of a gas that you use as car fuel, and when people say they need gas, usually this is the kind they're talking about. They're probably not talking about the digestive kind of gas that causes you to fart. There are poisons that can be released as gas, and you might hear about riot police somewhere gassing people: spraying them with harmful gas. Gas has no fixed shape and changes density easily.

Example Sentences

“Just two to three months ago, those same Europeans who were lecturing us on ‘no gas’ say they’ll make a compromise,” said Amani Abou-Zeid, the African Union’s commissioner for energy and infrastructure.

From New York Times • Oct. 27, 2022

This is also a significant issue in Appalachia, due to the longevity of oil and gas' presence in the region.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2022

EIA said natural gas’ share of power generation will slide from 39% in 2020 to 36% in 2021 and 35% in 2022 as gas prices rise.

From Reuters • Oct. 13, 2021

The book also says riot-control agents are “popularly referred to as ‘tear gas’ or ‘pepper spray.'”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 3, 2020

Yes, they're both 'marsh gas' caused by the decay of the huge ferns and plants of the carboniferous age.

From Ethel Morton's Enterprise by Smith, Mabell S. C. (Mabell Shippie Clarke)

Related Words

• smoke
• vapor