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.
All forms of energy rising Retail gasoline and diesel prices have spiked to new highs this year, but they’re not expected to go up substantially higher from now. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026 Just in the past year, California has closed two diesel refineries which is dramatically increasing the prices of diesel, the price of diesel in California, but also affecting the quantities across the entire country. — NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026 The hope is to get them into jobs, such as commercial driving and diesel technology roles. — Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Trump has waived sanctions on imports of Russian diesel and on Friday invoked a waiver exempting Russia from sweeping economic penalties mandated by the US Congress, sparking criticism even from Republicans. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 18 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 20 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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