aerosol

[ air-uh-sawl, -sol ]

noun

1. Physical Chemistry. a system of colloidal particles dispersed in a gas and commonly formed as smoke, fog, mist, haze, or smog:

   a radioactive aerosol;

   aerosols in the stratosphere.

2. a liquid substance, as a disinfectant or deodorant, sealed in a metal container under pressure with an inert gas or other activating agent and released as a spray or foam through a push-button valve or nozzle:

   an aerosol for cleaning ovens.

3. Physiology, Pathology. a mist that lingers in the air, composed of fine particles (less than 5 micrometers in diameter) that form from the evaporation of respiratory droplets (5–10 micrometers in diameter) released into the air through talking, breathing, singing, whistling, coughing, sneezing, etc.:

   Recommended precautions against virus-laden aerosols vary according to the type of virus.

4. aerosol bomb.

adjective

1. of or containing a liquid or gas under pressure for dispensing as a spray or foam:

   a deodorant available in aerosol cans.

aerosol

/ ˈɛərəˌsɒl /

noun

1. a colloidal dispersion of solid or liquid particles in a gas; smoke or fog
2. a substance, such as a paint, polish, or insecticide, dispensed from a small metal container by a propellant under pressure
3. Also calledair spray such a substance together with its container

aerosol

/ âr′ə-sôl′ /

1. A substance consisting of very fine particles of a liquid or solid suspended in a gas. Mist, which consists of very fine droplets of water in air, is an aerosol.
2. Compare emulsion
3. A liquid substance, such as paint, an insecticide, or a hair spray, packaged under pressure for use or application as a fine spray.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aerosol¹

First recorded in 1920–25; aero- + sol ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of aerosol¹

C20: from aero- + sol ( ution )

Example Sentences

According to the 2021 lawsuit, Walmart allegedly disposed of aerosols cans, spray paints, rust removers, bleach, pesticides and over-the-counter drugs in regular trash bins, which are not permitted to receive such waste products.

From Los Angeles Times

FFP3s are tight-fitting masks with a built-in air filter designed to block out tiny aerosol particles which can carry the virus.

From BBC

During volcanic eruptions, huge amounts of ash and aerosols - tiny particles - can be transported into the high atmosphere which can then reflect solar radiation back into space.

From BBC

There are two types of aerosols: reflective and absorptive.

From Science Daily

A joint European and Japanese satellite was launched last week to investigate how clouds and atmospheric particles, or aerosols, affect the planet’s climate.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• sprayer
• sprinkler