gasoline

[ gas-uh-leen, gas-uh-leen ]

noun

1. a volatile, flammable liquid mixture of hydrocarbons, obtained from petroleum, and used as fuel for internal-combustion engines, as a solvent, etc.

gasoline

/ ˌɡæsəˈlɪnɪk; ˈɡæsəˌliːn /

noun

1. any one of various volatile flammable liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons, mainly hexane, heptane, and octane, obtained from petroleum and used as a solvent and a fuel for internal-combustion engines. Usually petrol also contains additives such as antiknock compounds and corrosion inhibitors Also called (esp in Britain)petrol

gasoline

/ găs′ə-lēn′ /

1. A highly flammable mixture of liquid hydrocarbons that are derived from petroleum. The hydrocarbons in gasoline contain between five and eight carbon atoms. Gasoline is used as a fuel for internal-combustion engines in automobiles, motorcycles, and small trucks.

Derived Forms

• gasolinic, adjective

Other Words From

• gaso·lineless adjective
• gas·o·lin·ic [gas-, uh, -, lee, -nik, -, lin, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gasoline¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; gas + -ol ² + -ine ²

Example Sentences

Although blood lead levels have fallen dramatically since the United States began phasing out leaded gasoline in 1973 and banned lead in house paint in 1978, the toxic metal persists in the environment.

From Science News

Supervisor Jim Desmond, the lone no vote, suggested that pot shops were an underlying cause of homelessness and behavioral health problems — “this is like pouring gasoline on the current crisis,” he said.

From Voice of San Diego

We’re pouring gasoline where it should be poured and pulling back as needed.

From Digiday

Most countries tax gasoline and diesel, but those earnings are under threat as more and more people shift to electric vehicles.

From Ozy

FlexControl Essentials promised to let customers first pay off everyday purchases — like gasoline and groceries — which the bank said could lower the monthly bill.

From ProPublica

He is perfectly capable of introducing a bill requiring all cars to run on corn stalks instead of gasoline.

From The Daily Beast

The bodies had been piled onto dry branches and logs, doused in gasoline, and set afire.

From The Daily Beast

All Americans really did sacrifice then, accepting strict food and gasoline quotas and doing without a lot of things.

From The Daily Beast

More road closures mean more detours and traffic jams, and more money on gasoline.

From The Daily Beast

This is a lot of biofuel, which is why somebody, in an effort to get rid of the stuff, has been watering our gasoline.

From The Daily Beast

He put all his doctor truck into his gasoline wagon last night and choo-chooed outen town.

From Project Gutenberg

"Here are our canteens," he went on excitedly, picking both of the gasoline-cans out of the rumble.

From Project Gutenberg

Even the storage of gasoline in suitable tanks set down in the earth is not a nuisance.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, for the first time, Matt saw that his reserve supply of gasoline had been removed from the head of the Comet.

From Project Gutenberg

The gasoline used also gave off a gas of highly explosive character and one very likely to escape from leaky tanks or joints.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• diesel fuel
• juice
• oil
• petrol