gasoline

noun

gas·​o·​line ˈga-sə-ˌlēn How to pronounce gasoline (audio)
ˌga-sə-ˈlēn
also -zə-
variants or less commonly gasolene
: a volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture used as a fuel especially for internal combustion engines and usually blended from several products of natural gas and petroleum
gasolinic
ˌga-sə-ˈlē-nik How to pronounce gasoline (audio)
-ˈli-
adjective

Examples of gasoline in a Sentence

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.
Yet after Newsom’s almost eight years in office, millions of Californians have been forced to contend with power blackouts, refinery closures and surging gasoline prices. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Losing one distillation unit did not necessarily mean losing an equivalent share of gasoline or diesel supply. — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026 Instead of massive gasoline engines, today’s Hummer pickup and SUV use gargantuan battery packs and electric motors. — Matt Degen, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Although prices reached record highs for 2026, the statewide average for regular gasoline has not yet surpassed that all-time record. — Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gasoline

Word History

Etymology

gas entry 1 + -ol entry 2 + -ine entry 2 or -ene

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gasoline was in 1865

Phrases Containing gasoline

Rhymes for gasoline

See All Rhymes for gasoline

Browse Nearby Words

gasolier
gasoline
gasoline-electric
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

gasoline

noun
gas·​o·​line ˈgas-ə-ˌlēn How to pronounce gasoline (audio)
ˌgas-ə-ˈlēn
: a flammable liquid produced usually by blending products from natural gas and petroleum and used especially as a fuel for engines

More from Merriam-Webster on gasoline

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gasoline

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