gasoline

American  

[gas-uh-leen, gas-uh-leen] / ˌgæs əˈlin, ˈgæs əˌlin /

noun

1. a volatile, flammable liquid mixture of hydrocarbons, obtained from petroleum, and used as fuel for internal-combustion engines, as a solvent, etc.

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gasoline British  

/ ˌɡæsəˈlɪnɪk, ˈɡæsəˌliːn /

noun

1. Also called (esp in Britain): petrol.  any one of various volatile flammable liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons, mainly hexane, heptane, and octane, obtained from petroleum and used as a solvent and a fuel for internal-combustion engines. Usually petrol also contains additives such as antiknock compounds and corrosion inhibitors

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gasoline Scientific  

/ găs′ə-lēn′ /

1. A highly flammable mixture of liquid hydrocarbons that are derived from petroleum. The hydrocarbons in gasoline contain between five and eight carbon atoms. Gasoline is used as a fuel for internal-combustion engines in automobiles, motorcycles, and small trucks.

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Other Word Forms

• gasolineless
  adjective
• gasolinic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of gasoline

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; gas + -ol ² + -ine ²

Example Sentences

That feeling is especially strong among poorer consumers, who are hit harder by rising costs for groceries and gasoline than wealthier Americans.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

The American people, meanwhile, will be satisfied if gasoline prices return to normal.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

How much more Americans spent on gasoline and diesel during the Iran war than the same period a year earlier.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

For all the focus on gasoline prices, drivers, businesses and investors may also need to keep a close eye on diesel this summer.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

The gasoline made a dark, oily blotch on Lexie’s flowered comforter, on Trip’s pillow, on Moody’s plaid sheets.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Related Words

• diesel fuel
• juice
• oil
• petrol