biodiesel

American  

[bahy-oh-dee-zuhl, ‐suhl] / ˌbaɪ oʊˈdi zəl, ‐səl /

noun

1. a biofuel that, alone or blended with diesel fuel, can be substituted for standard diesel fuel in an unmodified diesel engine: blended forms of biodiesel are also used as heating oils.

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biodiesel British  

/ ˈbaɪəʊˌdiːzəl /

noun

1. a biofuel intended for use in diesel engines

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biodiesel Scientific  

/ bī′ō-dē′zəl,-səl /

1. See under biofuel

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Etymology

Origin of biodiesel

First recorded in 1980–85; bio- ( def. ) + diesel ( def. ); cf. petrodiesel ( def. )

Example Sentences

Corn and soybeans both move in relation to oil, due to their use as the main feedstocks to produce renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Canada is among the world's top producers of canola, an oilseed crop that is used to make cooking oil, animal meal and biodiesel fuel.

From Barron's • Oct. 31, 2025

One third-party Tesla modification company, aimed at civilian and government clients, sells Cybertruck upgrades so it can run on jet fuel, diesel, biodiesel, and electricity.

From Slate • Mar. 15, 2025

A spokesperson for Environment and Climate Change Canada told the Globe and Mail that the substance was not a petroleum hydrocarbon, petroleum lubricant, biofuel or biodiesel.

From BBC • Oct. 12, 2024

The whine of a motor launch, someone burning biodiesel to reach the ship.

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi