alcohol

[ al-kuh-hawl, -hol ]

noun

1. Also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, ethanol,. a colorless, limpid, volatile, flammable, water-miscible liquid, C 2 H 5 OH, having an etherlike odor and pungent, burning taste, the intoxicating principle of fermented liquors, produced by yeast fermentation of certain carbohydrates, as grains, molasses, starch, or sugar, or obtained synthetically by hydration of ethylene or as a by-product of certain hydrocarbon syntheses: used chiefly as a solvent in the extraction of specific substances, in beverages, medicines, organic synthesis, lotions, tonics, colognes, rubbing compounds, as an automobile radiator antifreeze, and as a rocket fuel. Compare denatured alcohol, methyl alcohol.
2. whiskey, gin, vodka, or any other intoxicating liquor containing this liquid.
3. Chemistry. any of a class of chemical compounds having the general formula ROH, where R represents an alkyl group and –OH a hydroxyl group, as in methyl alcohol, CH 3 OH, or ethyl alcohol, C 2 H 5 OH.

alcohol

/ ˈælkəˌhɒl /

noun

1. Also calledethanolethyl alcohol a colourless flammable liquid, the active principle of intoxicating drinks, produced by the fermentation of sugars, esp glucose, and used as a solvent and in the manufacture of organic chemicals. Formula: C 2 H 5 OH
2. a drink or drinks containing this substance
3. chem any one of a class of organic compounds that contain one or more hydroxyl groups bound to carbon atoms. The simplest alcohols have the formula ROH, where R is an alkyl group Compare phenol See also diol triol

alcohol

/ ăl′kə-hôl′ /

1. Any of a large number of colorless, flammable organic compounds that contain the hydroxyl group (OH) and that form esters with acids. Alcohols are used as solvents and for manufacturing dyes, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals. Simple alcohols, such as methanol and ethanol, are water-soluble liquids, while more complex ones, like cetyl alcohol, are waxy solids. Names of alcohols usually end in –ol.
2. Ethanol.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alcohol¹

1535–45; < New Latin < Medieval Latin < Arabic al-kuḥl the powdered antimony, the distillate

Word History and Origins

Origin of alcohol¹

C16: via New Latin from Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-kuhl powdered antimony; see kohl

Example Sentences

Those “wasteful” studies were studying the effects of stress on rats—and how that stress might be increased if those rats had a lot of previous alcohol exposure.

From Slate

Melvin is also the author of “Pops,” a memoir about his relationship with his father who overcame addictions to alcohol and gambling.

From Los Angeles Times

Members were told that Ms Robinson had left nursing in March 2022 and had since gone on to work at an organisation in West Yorkshire providing drug and alcohol recovery support, a role which "involves working with vulnerable members of society".

From BBC

Also targeted by Ramaswamy for elimination when he was a presidential candidate: the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.

From Los Angeles Times

Sarah Vine KC, defending Sidpara, said the jury would need to consider whether Mr Sidpara's "alcohol dependency" caused him to behave the way he did when he killed Ms Riaz.

From BBC

Related Words

• booze
• drink
• ethanol
• liquor
• methanol
• smoke