ethanol

/ˈɛθənɑl/

/ˈɛθənɔl/

Ethanol is a chemical, a specific type of alcohol. When sugar ferments, as when grapes are made into wine, ethanol is created.

Isopropyl alcohol, commonly known as "rubbing alcohol," is poisonous, but ethanol can be safely consumed by most people in small quantities. It's clear and colorless, and highly flammable. In addition to being a component of all alcoholic beverages, ethanol is also an alternative fuel source. The word ethanol is a contraction of ethane, a chemical compound, and alcohol.

Definitions of ethanol

1. noun

   the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors; used pure or denatured as a solvent or in medicines and colognes and cleaning solutions and rocket fuel; proposed as a renewable clean-burning additive to gasoline
   synonyms: ethyl alcohol, fermentation alcohol, grain alcohol

   types:

   spirits of wine

   rectified ethyl alcohol

   absolute alcohol

   pure ethyl alcohol (containing no more than 1% water)

   denatured alcohol

   ethyl alcohol that is unfit for drinking but is still useful for other purposes

   methylated spirit

   ethyl alcohol denatured with methyl alcohol to prevent its use as an alcoholic beverage

   type of:

   alcohol

   any of a series of volatile hydroxyl compounds that are made from hydrocarbons by distillation

   plant product

   a product made from plant material