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

To drivers used to the splash-and-dash of gasoline, such wait times seem mental.

From The Wall Street Journal

The EIA reported a 400,000 barrel crude stock build for the week of Dec. 19, along with increases in gasoline and diesel inventories.

From The Wall Street Journal

Auto makers will also be able to continue selling hybrids and traditional gasoline and diesel cars—although not necessarily in the numbers consumers demand.

From The Wall Street Journal

Carbon footprint is directly proportional to gallons of gasoline burned, so the same ratio applies.

From The Wall Street Journal

The real expansion, however, came in 2007 with the Energy Independence and Security Act, a response to soaring gasoline prices.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• diesel fuel
• juice
• oil
• petrol