glycol

American  

[glahy-kawl, -kol] / ˈglaɪ kɔl, -kɒl /

noun

1. Also called ethylene alcohol.  Also called ethylene glycol.  a colorless, sweet liquid, C 2 H 6 O 2 , used chiefly as an automobile antifreeze and as a solvent.

2. Also called diol.  any of a group of alcohols containing two hydroxyl groups.

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glycol British  

/ ˈɡlaɪkɒl, ɡlaɪˈkɒlɪk /

noun

1. another name (not in technical usage) for ethanediol diol

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glycol Scientific  

/ glī′kôl′,-kōl′ /

1. See ethylene glycol

2. Any of various alcohols containing two hydroxyl groups (OH).

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Other Word Forms

• glycolic adjective

Etymology

Origin of glycol

First recorded in 1855–60; glyc(erin) + (alcoh)ol

Example Sentences

Monoethylene glycol demand may improve from 2027, while methanol demand is forecast to exceed new capacity in 2026 and most of 2027-2030, lifting operating rates steadily from 66% to 70%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

In 2023, Indian syrups tainted with diethylene glycol were linked to the deaths of 70 children in The Gambia and 18 in Uzbekistan.

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2025

Unaware that he was severely allergic to glycol, a chemical component for the stage smoke used in concerts, Bunbury was forced to cancel his 35th anniversary tour in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2025

This became possible through the use of random copolymers of polyethylene glycol, which adsorbs water well, and polypropylene glycol, which adsorbs water slightly less well.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2024

The spread multiplied by 1.736 will give the glycol.

From Soap-Making Manual A Practical Handbook on the Raw Materials, Their Manipulation, Analysis and Control in the Modern Soap Plant. by Thomssen, E. G.