gasoline

[gas-uh-leen, gas-uh-leen]

noun

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

gasoline

/ 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

gasoline

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.

Other Word Forms

• gasolineless adjective
• gasolinic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gasoline¹

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

Example Sentences

Whereas gasoline prices have long been a barometer of economic health and political stability, electricity bills are assuming, or about to assume, that role.

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The biggest advantage an EV has is that it doesn’t need gasoline, which tends to be more expensive than electricity.

Read more on MarketWatch

“How can Maduro be the secure choice when 8 million Venezuelans have left, when there is no gasoline, political persecution and rampant inflation?”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The average gasoline price at the pump, a key driver for inflation, has fallen 4% over the past month, signaling that inflation is tracking lower.

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The decline is good news for American consumers because cheaper crude portends lower prices for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and heating oil.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• diesel fuel 
• juice 
• oil 
• petrol