Dictionary

1gas

noun \ˈgas\

: a substance (such as oxygen or hydrogen) that is like air and has no fixed shape

: a gas or mixture of gases that is burned as a fuel

: gas in your stomach and intestines that causes pain or discomfort

plural gas·es also gas·ses

Full Definition of GAS

1
:  a fluid (as air) that has neither independent shape nor volume but tends to expand indefinitely
2
a :  a combustible gas or gaseous mixture for fuel or lighting; especially :  natural gas
b :  a gaseous product of digestion; also :  discomfort from this
c :  a gas or gaseous mixture used to produce anesthesia
d :  a substance that can be used to produce a poisonous, asphyxiating, or irritant atmosphere
3
:  empty talk :  bombast
4
:  gasoline; also :  the accelerator pedal of an automotive vehicle
5
:  driving force :  energy <I was young, and full of gas — H. L. Mencken> <ran out of gas in the seventh inning>
6
slang :  something that gives pleasure :  delight <the party was a gas>
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Origin of GAS

New Latin, alteration of Latin chaos space, chaos
First Known Use: 1779

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

2gas

verb

: to poison or kill (someone) with gas

: to put gasoline in (a car, truck, etc.)

gassedgas·sing

Full Definition of GAS

intransitive verb
1
:  to talk idly or garrulously
2
:  to give off gas
3
:  to fill the tank (as of an automobile) with gasoline —usually used with up
transitive verb
1
:  to supply with gas or especially gasoline <gas up the car>
2
a :  to treat chemically with gas
b :  to poison or otherwise affect adversely with gas
3
slang :  to please greatly

First Known Use of GAS

1852
GAS Defined for Kids

1gas

noun \ˈgas\
plural gas·es

Definition of GAS for Kids

1
:  a substance (as oxygen or hydrogen) having no fixed shape and tending to expand without limit
3
:  a gas or a mixture of gases used to make a person unconscious (as for an operation)
4
:  a substance that poisons the air or makes breathing difficult
5
:  gasoline
6
:  a gaseous product of digestion or the discomfort caused by it

2gas

verb
gassedgas·singgas·ses

Definition of GAS for Kids

1
:  to poison with gas <“Her boy was gassed in the trenches,” Grandma said. — Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder>
2
:  to supply with gas <Gas up the car.>
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