methyl alcohol

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, volatile, water-soluble, poisonous liquid, CH 4 O, obtained by the destructive distillation of wood or the incomplete oxidation of natural gas, or produced synthetically from carbon monoxide and hydrogen, used chiefly as a solvent, a fuel, and an automobile antifreeze and in the synthesis of formaldehyde.

methyl alcohol

noun

1. another name for methanol

methyl alcohol

1. See methanol

Word History and Origins

Origin of methyl alcohol¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Local media reported that the cider contained lethal amounts of methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol and much more toxic than the ethanol found in regular alcoholic drinks.

From Reuters

Twenty-nine people died in a single incident in 2021 after consuming locally produced spirits that contained methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol.

From Reuters

"They had consumed methyl alcohol which was almost undiluted, believing it to be liquor."

From Reuters

Fortunately, molecules of water and methyl alcohol just outside the regions ionized by these hot stars can be very bright radio sources because they emit natural “maser” emission that is barely attenuated by galactic dust.

From Scientific American

In February, 150 people, mostly tea plantation workers, died and about 200 were hospitalized after drinking tainted liquor laced with methyl alcohol in two separate incidents in Assam state in India’s remote northeast.

From Seattle Times