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

The 69-year-old Oscar winner and "Gladiator II" star reflected on his relationship with alcohol and substances in an interview with Esquire.

From Salon

Some volunteers who tried the narcolepsy treatment, sodium oxybate, found it eased their speech in a similar way to drinking alcohol, but without intoxication.

From BBC

Findlay says SNP ministers have failed to build new prisons, reform community sentencing and invest in technology, such as alcohol monitoring tags used in other parts of the UK.

From BBC

Former prisoners have recounted being assigned work that they didn’t want or that interfered with classes or drug and alcohol treatment programs they wanted to take.

From Los Angeles Times

While the backlash was off-limits during our conversation, Macpherson considers the chapters about her cancer journey and treatment for alcohol addiction to be the most revealing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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