diesel

noun

die·​sel ˈdē-zəl How to pronounce diesel (audio)
-səl
1
: diesel engine
2
: a vehicle driven by a diesel engine
3
: diesel fuel

Examples of diesel in a Sentence

Does your car take diesel or gasoline?
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
When the economy slows, gasoline demand drops— along with demand for other refined products like diesel and jet fuel. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025 California’s most recent waiver — finalized in December 2024 as former President Joe Biden was leaving office — set an effective ban on sales of new gas, diesel and traditional hybrid vehicles for one-third of the U.S. auto market beginning in 2026 and culminating by 2035. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2025 They are hermetically sealed, contain diesel or electric engines, and are either self-propelled or carry people who help ensure the drugs get to their destinations. — Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025 Sectors like next-gen biofuels have fallen out of favor after trying to compete directly with diesel and gasoline. — Katie Fehrenbacher, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diesel

Word History

Etymology

Rudolf Diesel

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diesel was in 1894

Phrases Containing diesel

Rhymes for diesel

See All Rhymes for diesel

Browse Nearby Words

diesel
Diesel
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Cite this Entry

“Diesel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diesel. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

diesel

noun
die·​sel ˈdē-zəl How to pronounce diesel (audio)
-səl
1
: diesel engine
2
: a vehicle (as a truck or train) driven by a diesel engine
3
: a fuel designed for use in diesel engines
Etymology

named for Rudolf Diesel 1858–1913 German engineer

Biographical Definition

Diesel

biographical name

Die·​sel ˈdē-zəl How to pronounce Diesel (audio)
-səl
Rudolf 1858–1913 German mechanical engineer

More from Merriam-Webster on diesel

Nglish: Translation of diesel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diesel

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