gasoline

American  

[gas-uh-leen, gas-uh-leen] / ˌgæs əˈlin, ˈgæs əˌlin /

noun

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

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gasoline British  

/ ˌɡæsəˈlɪnɪk, ˈɡæsəˌliːn /

noun

1. Also called (esp in Britain): petrol.  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

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gasoline Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• gasolineless adjective
• gasolinic adjective

Etymology

Origin of gasoline

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

Example Sentences

U.S. crude-oil inventories rose more than expected in a sixth consecutive weekly increase, while gasoline and distillate stocks fell, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is expected to boost inflation through higher gasoline prices but also to dampen growth as consumers see a decline in discretionary spending power.

From MarketWatch

According to data from Goldman Sachs, Australians have been among the highest increases in both gasoline and diesel prices of the top 30 national consumers by demand.

From MarketWatch

The cost of gasoline hit an unwelcome benchmark in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday as the average price per gallon officially reached the $6 mark, according to the American Automobile Assn.

From Los Angeles Times

Sure, gasoline has cost more in the past.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• diesel fuel
• juice
• oil
• petrol