methanol

noun

meth·​a·​nol ˈme-thə-ˌnȯl How to pronounce methanol (audio)
-ˌnōl
: a light volatile flammable poisonous liquid alcohol CH3OH used especially as a solvent, antifreeze, or denaturant for ethanol and in the synthesis of other chemicals

Examples of methanol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Celanese shares have suffered a nearly 24% decline this year as the price of methanol — a substantial input cost in acetic acid prices — has been spiking for about 18 months due to global supply shortages. Pia Singh, CNBC, 14 May 2025 Although the race was scheduled for Memorial Day Monday, day-long rain delayed the start until early evening and a major crash at the start that badly burned driver Salt Walther and injured dozens of spectators when hot, flaming methanol spewed into the crowd during the wreck. Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 To do so, the telescope will map out the presence of water ice, of course, as well as frozen carbon dioxide, methanol, ammonia and other intriguing compounds. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 28 Feb. 2025 The ex-biker and the high school chemistry buff agreed: nitro is a heavier molecule than methanol. Rachel Kushner, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for methanol

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of methanol was in 1894

Cite this Entry

“Methanol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methanol. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

methanol

noun
meth·​a·​nol ˈmeth-ə-ˌnȯl How to pronounce methanol (audio)
-ˌnōl
: a light flammable poisonous liquid alcohol that consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and is used especially as antifreeze and to dissolve things

Medical Definition

methanol

noun
meth·​a·​nol ˈmeth-ə-ˌnȯl How to pronounce methanol (audio) -ˌnōl How to pronounce methanol (audio)
: a light volatile pungent flammable poisonous liquid alcohol CH3OH formed in the destructive distillation of wood or made synthetically and used especially as a solvent, antifreeze, or denaturant for ethanol and in the synthesis of other chemicals

called also carbinol, methyl alcohol, wood alcohol

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