alcohol

[ al-kuh-hawl, -hol ]
See synonyms for alcohol on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, ethanol, fer·men·ta·tion al·co·hol [fur-men-tey-shuhn al-kuh-hawl, -hol] /ˌfɜr mɛnˈteɪ ʃən ˌæl kə hɔl, -hɒl/ . 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.

  2. whiskey, gin, vodka, or any other intoxicating liquor containing this liquid.

  1. 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

1
1535–45; <New Latin <Medieval Latin <Arabic al-kuḥl the powdered antimony, the distillate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for alcohol

alcohol

/ (ˈælkəˌhɒl) /


noun
  1. 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

  2. a drink or drinks containing this substance

  1. 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

Origin of alcohol

1
C16: via New Latin from Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-kuhl powdered antimony; see kohl

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for alcohol

alcohol

[ ălkə-hôl′ ]


  1. 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.

  2. Ethanol.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.