ethyl alcohol

noun

: a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid C2H5OH that is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also used as a solvent and in fuel : ethanol
Denatured alcohol is simply ethyl alcohol that has been mixed with toxic or nauseating substances, called denaturants (these prevent the alcohol from being consumed).Martha Stewart
Made from ethyl alcohol, plant-based compounds and other natural ingredients known to have virucidal properties, this citrus-scented liquid formula fights germs and can help reduce the risk of infection.J. P. Anderson
When yeast cells, either cultivated or wild, come into contact with fresh must, especially that of grapes, and metabolize the must's complex natural sugars, ethyl alcohol is created.advertisement in The New York Times Magazine

Examples of ethyl alcohol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The amount of pure ethyl alcohol (the potable kind) produced daily is about one ounce. Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2023 The yeast consumes sugars and produces ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide as byproducts during the process called fermentation – that’s how the bourbon becomes alcoholic. Michael W. Crowder, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023 Once your buds are wax- and dirt-free, rub them down with a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or a 75% ethyl alcohol wipe. Julia Ries, SELF, 27 July 2023 Exposure to ethyl alcohol can cause headaches, nausea, unconsciousness and irritation of the skin and eyes. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 30 Mar. 2023 The combination creates ethyl alcohol. Oj Lima, Bon Appétit, 22 July 2022 On the face of it, ethyl alcohol would have seemed the far safer option, given what was known about lead as a poison and the unfolding tragedies at Deepwater and other plants. Steven Johnson, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2023 Yet one of them—ethyl alcohol, or ethanol—is a staple of the human diet. Leeaundra Keany, Discover Magazine, 9 Jan. 2012 The final products are ethyl alcohol, which is used to make the company’s vodka and other products such as perfume, as well as paraffin, which forms the basis of its jet fuel. John General, CNN, 10 Nov. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ethyl alcohol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ethyl alcohol was in 1850

Dictionary Entries Near ethyl alcohol

Cite this Entry

“Ethyl alcohol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethyl%20alcohol. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ethyl alcohol

noun

Medical Definition

ethyl alcohol

noun

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