glycol

noun

gly·​col ˈglī-ˌkȯl How to pronounce glycol (audio) -ˌkōl How to pronounce glycol (audio)
: diol
especially : ethylene glycol

Examples of glycol 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.
The plant makes renewable glycols, ingredients used to produce polyester that are usually derived from fossil fuels. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 The demonstration video posted on X shows a clear liquid spurting all over the ground, which Tesla confirmed was glycol, a type of cooling agent used to cool its Supercharger cables. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2026 The incident damaged cables and water lines, flooding the base of the antenna with 200,000 gallons of water containing glycol, an environmental hazard. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026 Releasing the cold on demand The cooling side works through a separate glycol loop. — Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for glycol

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary glyc- + -ol

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glycol was in 1857

Phrases Containing glycol

Rhymes for glycol

See All Rhymes for glycol

Browse Nearby Words

glycohemoglobin
glycol
glycolic acid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glycol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glycol. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

glycol

noun
gly·​col ˈglī-ˌkȯl How to pronounce glycol (audio) -ˌkōl How to pronounce glycol (audio)
: ethylene glycol
broadly : a related alcohol containing two hydroxyl groups

More from Merriam-Webster on glycol

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glycol

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