rubbing alcohol

noun

: a cooling and soothing liquid for external application that contains approximately 70 percent denatured ethanol or isopropanol

Examples of rubbing alcohol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Either the individual items or the entire print bed can be placed into the Form Wash system, which is agitates the parts in a tub full of rubbing alcohol for about 10 minutes before they are moved into the Form Cure. Michael Molitch-Hou, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 Saturate the material at the base with rubbing alcohol, close the lid, and place the jar upside down on a bed of dry ice. Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 23 Nov. 2023 Use similar techniques as detailed above; wet a cotton swab or pad with rubbing alcohol and gently apply it to the stained area. Natalie Schumann, Country Living, 31 Aug. 2023 Another readily available household staple that has similar effects is rubbing alcohol. Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2023 Find it on Amazon This Tabletop Fire For The S’more Lover Add a warm and inviting ambiance to your indoor or outdoor spaces with this Tabletop Fire that is fueled by rubbing alcohol, ensuring long-lasting, smokeless, and odorless flames. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2023 Another method: Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and spritz your shoes. Dwyer Frame, Health, 31 Oct. 2023 At the end of the season, remove any residue left by the mounting tape immediately with rubbing alcohol. Belle Duchene, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2023 To do it yourself, fill a bucket with clean water, a few drops of liquid dish soap and a few drops of rubbing alcohol (to prevent streaks). Jennifer Barger, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rubbing 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

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rubbing alcohol was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near rubbing alcohol

Cite this Entry

“Rubbing alcohol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubbing%20alcohol. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rubbing alcohol

noun
: a cooling and soothing solution for use on the outside of the body that contains an alcohol and water

Medical Definition

rubbing alcohol

noun
rub·​bing alcohol ˈrəb-iŋ-ˌ How to pronounce rubbing alcohol (audio)
: a cooling and soothing liquid for external application that contains approximately 70 percent denatured ethanol or isopropyl alcohol
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