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

---

glycol Scientific  

/ glī′kôl′,-kōl′ /

1. See ethylene glycol

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

---

Other Word Forms

• glycolic adjective

Etymology

Origin of glycol

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

Example Sentences

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

The system, which teams can make to their individual designs, typically features a liquid such as glycol pumped through a tank of dry ice and through the driver's fireproof top.

From BBC • Oct. 16, 2025

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

This became possible through the use of random copolymers of polyethylene glycol, which adsorbs water well, and polypropylene glycol, which adsorbs water slightly less well.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2024

Dilute potassium permanganate solution oxidizes it to ethylene glycol, HO�CH2�CH2�OH, whilst fuming nitric acid converts it into oxalic acid.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 8 "Ethiopia" to "Evangelical Association" by Various