aerosol
noun
aero·sol
ˈer-ə-ˌsäl 
-ˌsȯl
-ˌsȯl
1
: a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas
Smoke, fog, and mist are aerosols.
airborne aerosol transmission of infective viral particles
also, aerosols plural
: the fine particles of an aerosol
stratospheric aerosols
2
: a substance (such as an insecticide or medicine) dispensed from a pressurized container as an aerosol
also
: the container for this
Examples of aerosol in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While it is not yet known what was in the aerosol spray can, the caretaker told the Anchorage Daily News the spray could have been some kind of cleaning spray or an insecticide.
—
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
However, this study suggests that aerosols produced by infected flocks may be more significant carriers of the virus, as heavier dust particles tend to settle quickly near the outbreak site.
—John Drake, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Or are the effects of aerosols specific to the idiosyncrasies of lightning generation?
—Chris Wright, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
Spencer Platt/Getty Images From soft drinks and beer to aerosols and shelf-stable soups, many everyday grocery items sold in steel and aluminum cans could be in store for a price hike.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aerosol
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
However, this study suggests that aerosols produced by infected flocks may be more significant carriers of the virus, as heavier dust particles tend to settle quickly near the outbreak site.
—John Drake, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Or are the effects of aerosols specific to the idiosyncrasies of lightning generation?
—Chris Wright, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
Spencer Platt/Getty Images From soft drinks and beer to aerosols and shelf-stable soups, many everyday grocery items sold in steel and aluminum cans could be in store for a price hike.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aerosol
Cite this Entry
“Aerosol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerosol. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aerosol
noun
aero·sol
ˈar-ə-ˌsäl
ˈer-
ˈer-
-ˌsȯl
: a mixture of fine solid or liquid particles and gas
smoke and fog are aerosols
Medical Definition
aerosol
noun
aero·sol
ˈar-ə-ˌsäl
ˈer-
ˈer-
-ˌsȯl
1
: a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas
smoke, fog, and mist are aerosols
2
: a substance (as an insecticide or medicine) dispensed from a pressurized container as an aerosol
also
: the container for this
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share