gas
/ɡæs/ noun A2- Matter in an intermediate state between liquid and plasma that can be contained only if it is fully surrounded by a solid (or in a bubble of liquid, or held together by gravitational pull); it can condense into a liquid, or can (rarely) become a solid directly by deposition. · A lot of gas had escaped from the cylinder.
- A flammable gaseous hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon mixture used as a fuel, e.g. for cooking, heating, electricity generation or as a fuel in internal combustion engines in vehicles, especially natural gas. · Gas-fired power stations have largely replaced coal-burning ones.
- Poison gas. · The artillery fired gas shells into the enemy trenches.
- A chemical element or compound in such a state. · The atmosphere is made up of a number of different gases.
- A hob on a gas cooker. · She turned the gas on, put the potatoes on, then lit the oven.
- Methane or other waste gases trapped in one's belly as a result of the digestive process; flatus. · My tummy hurts so bad – I have gas.
- The supply of natural gas, as a utility.
- A humorous or entertaining event, person, or thing.
Plural gases
Phrasal verbs and expressions
From the library
We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit streets until we emerged into Farrington Street.
“A balloon,” said Oz, “is made of silk, which is coated with glue to keep the gas in it.
But in all this country there is no gas to fill the balloon with, to make it float.”
Hot air isn’t as good as gas, for if the air should get cold the balloon would come down in the desert, and we should be lost.”
Other matches
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