noun · verb · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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dē'zəl
/ˈdiːzəl/
US:/ˈdisəl/
US:/ˈdizəl/
Australia:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -iːzəl
CMU ARPABET:D IY1 S AH0 L
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:D IY1 Z AH0 L
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A fuel derived from petroleum (or other oils) but heavier than gasoline/petrol. Used to power diesel engines which burn this fuel using the heat produced when air is compressed.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
They were chagrined to see that the price of diesel had climbed past six dollars a gallon.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: diesel fuel, DFO
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: fuel oil, oil, fuel
2
noun
Meaning 2
A vehicle powered by a diesel engine.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable
Examples
His next truck will be a diesel.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Ellipsis of diesel engine.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
A rider who has an even energy output, without bursts of speed.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, slang, uncountable
Topics: cycling, hobbies, lifestyle, sports
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: rider, cyclist, bicyclist, person
5
noun
Meaning 5
Synonym of snakebite and black.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, countable, slang, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: snakebite and black
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
A particular cannabis hybrid.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, slang, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
To ignite a substance by using the heat generated by compression.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
verb
Meaning 8
For a spark-ignition internal combustion engine to continue running after the electrical current to the spark plugs has been turned off. This occurs when there's enough heat in the combustion chamber to ignite the air and fuel mixture without a spark, the same way that heat and pressure cause ignition in a diesel engine.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: automotive, transport, vehicles
Examples
The only reason the VW bug has a solenoid is to prevent it from dieseling.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
noun
Meaning 9
an internal-combustion engine that burns heavy oil
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: diesel engine, diesel motor
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: internal-combustion engine, ICE
10
noun
Meaning 10
German engineer (born in France) who invented the diesel engine (1858-1913)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: Rudolf Diesel, Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel
