methyl

noun

meth·​yl ˈme-thəl How to pronounce methyl (audio)
: an alkyl radical CH3 derived from methane
methylic
mə-ˈthi-lik How to pronounce methyl (audio)
adjective

Examples of methyl 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.
To achieve this, the team used methyl cellulose (a thickening agent) mixed with various additives to create a texture similar to oatmeal. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 The surprise finding, Clark explains, came from chemical tags on DNA called methyl groups that help switch genes on and off. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026 Most consumer clocks are built on DNA methylation, a process in which chemical tags called methyl groups attach to DNA as a person ages, altering the cytosine base and creating a pattern that correlates with biological age. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026 Four workers were killed in a 2014 methyl mercaptan leak at a DuPont industrial plant in suburban Houston. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for methyl

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, back-formation from methylene

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of methyl was in 1840

Phrases Containing methyl

Rhymes for methyl

See All Rhymes for methyl

Browse Nearby Words

Methuselah
methyl
methyl acetate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

methyl

noun
meth·​yl ˈmeth-əl How to pronounce methyl (audio)
: a chemical group consisting of carbon and hydrogen

Medical Definition

methyl

noun
meth·​yl
ˈmeth-əl, British also ˈmē-ˌthīl
: an alkyl group CH3 that is derived from methane by removal of one hydrogen atom
methylic
mə-ˈthil-ik How to pronounce methyl (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on methyl

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about methyl

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