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alcohol

noun
al·​co·​hol | \ ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl How to pronounce alcohol (audio) \

Definition of alcohol

1a : ethanol especially when considered as the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors
b : drink (such as whiskey or beer) containing ethanol
c : a mixture of ethanol and water that is usually 95 percent ethanol
2 : any of a class of organic (see organic entry 1 sense 3b(1)) compounds that are analogous to ethanol and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about alcohol

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Examples of alcohol in a Sentence

cough medicine that contains alcohol drinks that are high in alcohol There was a high level of alcohol in his blood at the time of the accident. a mixture of different alcohols The restaurant had a license to serve alcohol.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Mezcal’s compound average growth rate over the past five years soared 25%, versus 6.3% for tequila, according to data from global alcohol-industry tracker IWSR. — John Kell, Fortune, "Has Mezcal Become Too Big for Its Own Good?," 4 Aug. 2019 Ryan Lochte opens up about alcohol rehab and his return to the pool. — Evan Hilbert, USA TODAY, "An MLB fan threw 96 MPH. He's now under contract," 4 Aug. 2019 He was also ordered to complete an anger management program and participate in a drug/alcohol treatment program. — Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "Wasilla man accused of sexual assault after early release from prison for Colorado murder," 3 Aug. 2019 The suspect refused to take an alcohol breath test. — Bruce Geiselman, cleveland.com, "Speeding suspect caught with open container: North Olmsted Police Blotter," 3 Aug. 2019 Missy Shorey, the first woman elected to lead the Dallas County GOP, died from an accidental mixture of sleeping pills and alcohol, officials say. — Tom Steele, Dallas News, "Missy Shorey, first woman elected to lead Dallas County GOP, died from accidental mix of alcohol, sleeping aids," 2 Aug. 2019 The 16-year-old girl and her 15-year-old cousin attended a party at Uribe's home, near 83rd Avenue and Thomas Road, where they were provided alcohol and smoked marijuana. — Aubrey Carpenter, azcentral, "DNA test leads to arrest of Phoenix man accused of raping teen girl," 2 Aug. 2019 Testimony during Gallagher’s court-martial revealed that members of SEAL Team 7’s Alpha Platoon routinely consumed alcohol during their 2017 deployment to Iraq, according to The Military Times. — Talia Kaplan, Fox News, "Top Navy SEAL officer tells men 'We have a problem' in wake of scandals, controversies," 2 Aug. 2019 Unlike those products, Present will not contain any alcohol. — Beth Rankin, The Know, "Left Hand Brewing is launching a CBD-infused sparkling water," 2 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alcohol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of alcohol

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for alcohol

New Latin, from Medieval Latin, powdered antimony, from Old Spanish, from Arabic al-kuḥul the powdered antimony, from kuḥl kohl

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More Definitions for alcohol

alcohol

noun
How to pronounce alcohol (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of alcohol

: a clear liquid that has a strong smell, that is used in some medicines and other products, and that is the substance in liquors (such as beer, wine, or whiskey) that can make a person drunk
: drinks containing alcohol

See the full definition for alcohol in the English Language Learners Dictionary

alcohol

noun
al·​co·​hol | \ ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl How to pronounce alcohol (audio) \

Kids Definition of alcohol

1 : a colorless flammable liquid that in one form is the substance in liquors (as beer, wine, or whiskey) that can make a person drunk
2 : a drink containing alcohol

alcohol

noun
al·​co·​hol | \ ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl How to pronounce alcohol (audio) \

Medical Definition of alcohol

1a : ethanol especially when considered as the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors
b : drink (as whiskey or beer) containing ethanol
c : a mixture of ethanol and water that is usually 95 percent ethanol
2 : any of various compounds that are analogous to ethanol in constitution and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons

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