alcohol
[ al-kuh-hawl, -hol ]
/ ˈæl kəˌhɔl, -ˌhɒl /
noun
Also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, ethanol, fermentation alcohol.
a colorless, limpid, volatile, flammable, water-miscible liquid, C2H5OH, 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.
whiskey, gin, vodka, or any other intoxicating liquor containing this liquid.
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, CH3OH, or ethyl alcohol, C2H5OH.
Origin of alcohol
1535–45; < New Latin < Medieval Latin < Arabic
al-kuḥl the powdered antimony, the distillate
Words nearby alcohol
Example sentences from the Web for alcohol
British Dictionary definitions for alcohol
alcohol
/ (ˈælkəˌhɒl) /
noun
Also called: ethanol, ethyl 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
a drink or drinks containing this substance
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 (def. 2) See also diol, triol
Word Origin for alcohol
C16: via New Latin from Medieval Latin, from Arabic
al-kuhl powdered antimony; see
kohl
Medical definitions for alcohol
alcohol
[ ăl′kə-hôl′ ]
n.
Any of a series of hydroxyl compounds derived from saturated hydrocarbons, including ethanol and methanol.
A colorless, volatile, flammable liquid synthesized or obtained by fermentation of sugars and starches and widely used, either pure or denatured, as a solvent and in drugs.
ethanol ethyl alcohol
Intoxicating liquor containing alcohol.
Scientific definitions for alcohol
alcohol
[ ăl′kə-hôl′ ]
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.
Ethanol.