alcohol
noun
al·co·hol
ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl 
1
2
: any of a class of organic (see organic entry 1 sense 1b(2)) compounds that are analogous to ethanol and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons
Synonyms
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
In recent years, the Harry Potter alum has been open about his history of drug and alcohol abuse.
—
Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 17 Feb. 2025
Behind her was a group of patients who had bused there from a rehab center for drug and alcohol addiction.
—Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Marking the beginning of Prohibition, the amendment outlawed the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcohol in the United States as of January 17, 1920.
—Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025
An Upstate New York man was sentenced Wednesday to one year in prison after admitting to trading drugs and alcohol for food stamps while working at a deli owned by his family, federal prosecutors said.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for alcohol 
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Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 17 Feb. 2025
Behind her was a group of patients who had bused there from a rehab center for drug and alcohol addiction.
—Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Marking the beginning of Prohibition, the amendment outlawed the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcohol in the United States as of January 17, 1920.
—Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025
An Upstate New York man was sentenced Wednesday to one year in prison after admitting to trading drugs and alcohol for food stamps while working at a deli owned by his family, federal prosecutors said.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for alcohol
Dictionary Entries Near alcohol
Cite this Entry
“Alcohol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcohol. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alcohol
noun
al·co·hol
ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl
1
a
: ethanol especially when used as the substance in fermented or distilled liquors (as beer or whiskey) that can make one drunk
b
: drink (as beer, wine, or whiskey) containing ethanol
2
: any of various carbon compounds that are similar to ethanol in having one or more hydroxyl groups
Medical Definition
alcohol
noun
al·co·hol
ˈal-kə-ˌhȯl
1
a
: 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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