Methanol: meaning, definitions and examples

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methanol

[ˈmɛθənɒl ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

chemical compound

Methanol is a colorless, volatile liquid with a slightly sweet odor. It is used as an industrial solvent, antifreeze, fuel, and in the production of formaldehyde.

Synonyms

methyl alcohol, wood alcohol.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
methanol	Methanol is commonly used in scientific and industrial settings. It's ideal for technical documents, research papers, and discussions about chemistry or engineering. Methanol is often used as a solvent in laboratories The production of methanol requires a catalyst
methyl alcohol	Methyl alcohol is typically used in more formal or technical communication, similar to 'methanol'. It's suitable for educational materials and professional discussions. Methyl alcohol is a key ingredient in many chemical processes Exposure to high levels of methyl alcohol can be dangerous
wood alcohol	Wood alcohol is often used in historical or layman's contexts to describe methanol, particularly when discussing its origins or older uses. It carries a hint of an old-fashioned or less technical tone. In the past, wood alcohol was distilled from wood People used to produce wood alcohol to fuel lamps

Word

Description / Examples

methanol

Methanol is commonly used in scientific and industrial settings. It's ideal for technical documents, research papers, and discussions about chemistry or engineering.

Methanol is often used as a solvent in laboratories
The production of methanol requires a catalyst

methyl alcohol

Methyl alcohol is typically used in more formal or technical communication, similar to 'methanol'. It's suitable for educational materials and professional discussions.

Methyl alcohol is a key ingredient in many chemical processes
Exposure to high levels of methyl alcohol can be dangerous

wood alcohol

Wood alcohol is often used in historical or layman's contexts to describe methanol, particularly when discussing its origins or older uses. It carries a hint of an old-fashioned or less technical tone.

In the past, wood alcohol was distilled from wood
People used to produce wood alcohol to fuel lamps

Examples of usage

Methanol is commonly used as a fuel in racing cars.
Industrial processes often involve the use of methanol as a solvent.
Antifreeze products may contain methanol for its properties.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The name 'methanol' comes from 'methyl', a chemical group, and 'alcohol', indicating it’s a type of alcohol based on methyl.
It was first identified in the early 17th century during the distillation of wood, which is why it’s sometimes called 'wood alcohol'.

Science

Methanol is used in scientific laboratories as a solvent, helping to dissolve other substances for experiments.
It’s considered a simple alcohol, having one carbon atom and is often used to create other chemicals.

Health & Safety

Ingesting even a small amount of methanol can be extremely dangerous, leading to symptoms like headache and blurred vision.
It is metabolized in the body to formaldehyde, a substance that can cause serious harm to organs.

Industry

Methanol is an important feedstock for producing various chemicals, including formaldehyde and acetic acid, which are used in plastics.
It is gaining attention as a cleaner alternative fuel for vehicles, due to its potential to reduce emissions.

Environmental Impact

When produced sustainably, methanol can be derived from renewable sources such as biomass, benefiting the environment.
In recent years, researchers have explored converting carbon dioxide into methanol as a way to reduce greenhouse gases.

Translations

Translations of the word "methanol" in other languages:

🇵🇹 metanol

🇮🇳 मेथनॉल

🇩🇪 Methanol

🇮🇩 metanol

🇺🇦 метанол

🇵🇱 metanol

🇯🇵 メタノール

🇫🇷 méthanol

🇪🇸 metanol

🇹🇷 metanol

🇰🇷 메탄올

🇸🇦 ميثانول

🇨🇿 methanol

🇸🇰 metanol

🇨🇳 甲醇

🇸🇮 metanol

🇮🇸 metanól

🇰🇿 метанол

🇬🇪 მეთანოლი

🇦🇿 metanol

🇲🇽 metanol

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,094, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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10091 unconsciously
10092 credentials
10093 proclaim
10094 methanol
10095 aisle
10096 algebraic
10097 traverse
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