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glycol

American  
[glahy-kawl, -kol] / ˈglaɪ kɔl, -kɒl /

noun

  1. Also called ethylene alcohol.  Also called ethylene glycol.  a colorless, sweet liquid, C 2 H 6 O 2 , used chiefly as an automobile antifreeze and as a solvent.

  2. Also called diol.  any of a group of alcohols containing two hydroxyl groups.


glycol British  
/ ˈɡlaɪkɒl, ɡlaɪˈkɒlɪk /

noun

  1. another name (not in technical usage) for ethanediol diol

"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

glycol Scientific  
/ glīkôl′,-kōl′ /
  1. See ethylene glycol

  2. Any of various alcohols containing two hydroxyl groups (OH).


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of glycol

First recorded in 1855–60; glyc(erin) + (alcoh)ol

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.

See Examples For:

Monoethylene glycol demand may improve from 2027, while methanol demand is forecast to exceed new capacity in 2026 and most of 2027-2030, lifting operating rates steadily from 66% to 70%.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 4, 2026

Unaware that he was severely allergic to glycol, a chemical component for the stage smoke used in concerts, Bunbury was forced to cancel his 35th anniversary tour in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times May 21, 2025

The oligoethylene glycol units act as a type of shock absorber that adjusts to the appropriate length to make certain the shapes can fit together in a near-perfect manner.

From Science Daily Jan. 18, 2024

The glycol chills the trays in order to keep the ice near 22 degrees.

From Seattle Times Dec. 21, 2023

The spread multiplied by 1.736 will give the glycol.

From Soap-Making Manual A Practical Handbook on the Raw Materials, Their Manipulation, Analysis and Control in the Modern Soap Plant. by Thomssen, E. G.

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