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.
Here's where the high diesel prices add up tough – what little hay there is, is a lot more expensive to harvest. — Anna King, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026 In Iowa and in other Midwestern states, the price of diesel, which has risen more sharply than other fuel prices, has become a potent political issue. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026 Many rural communities rely on diesel for electricity and to heat their homes. — Becky Bohrer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier this week that the first shipment would amount to 40,000 tons of diesel, according to Russia's Interfax news agency. — Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026 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

dies comitialis
diesel
Diesel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diesel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diesel. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diesel

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