Meaning & use

diesel

noun·Everyday

A heavy petroleum fuel burned in engines that ignite it through compression rather than a spark.

See it in a sentence

The truck's diesel engine rumbled loudly as it climbed the hill.

Fuel prices for diesel rose sharply during the winter months.

A note on using this word

Diesel is named after Rudolf Diesel, who invented the compression-ignition engine that burns this fuel.

Words with a similar meaning

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