gas
gas
Gas (noun) means a state of matter, like air, that has no fixed shape or volume and spreads to fill its container. Example: “Steam is simply water in the form of a gas.”
noun
1
A state of matter, like air, that has no fixed shape or volume and spreads to fill its container.
"Steam is simply water in the form of a gas."
"Helium is a gas that is lighter than air."
"The lab heated the liquid until it turned to gas."
2
A fuel, especially natural gas used for heating and cooking, or (US, informal) petrol for a vehicle.
"Our cooker runs on gas, so we always keep matches handy."
"We stopped to fill up on gas before the highway."
"Turn off the gas before you leave the kitchen."
3
Air trapped in the stomach or intestines; flatulence.
"Fizzy drinks can leave you feeling bloated and full of gas."
"The baby cried because of trapped gas in her tummy."
"Spicy food always gives him gas."
verb
1
To attack or kill using poisonous gas.
"The trenches were gassed during the war."
2
(informal, US) To fill a vehicle's tank with fuel.
"Can you gas up the car before the trip?"
"We gassed up the van at the last station before the motorway."
"I'll gas the car on my way to work tomorrow."
How to use gas
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAir-like matter that spreads out to fill any space, or (informally) fuel for a car.
UK vs US
In American English "gas" commonly means petrol; British English keeps "petrol" and reserves "gas" mainly for the fuel used in cooking/heating.
Common pairings
run out of gas
gas station
natural gas
step on the gas
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Word forms
- Plural
- gases, gasses
- Third person singular
- gases, gasses
- Past tense
- gassed
- Comparative
- gasser
- Superlative
- gassest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Steam is simply water in the form of a _____.
Etymology
Coined in the 1600s by the chemist Jan Baptist van Helmont, adapted from the Greek word "chaos."
Class of 1600
gas joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “gas” mean?
The word “gas” means a state of matter, like air, that has no fixed shape or volume and spreads to fill its container. In plain terms, air-like matter that spreads out to fill any space, or (informally) fuel for a car.
How do you pronounce “gas”?
“Gas” is pronounced gas (/ɡæs/ in IPA).
How do you use “gas” in a sentence?
Here is “gas” used in a sentence: “Helium is a gas that is lighter than air.”
What part of speech is “gas”?
Depending on how it is used, “gas” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gas” come from?
The word “gas” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Greek. Coined in the 1600s by the chemist Jan Baptist van Helmont, adapted from the Greek word "chaos.".
Is “gas” a common word?
“Gas” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “gas” have?
“Gas” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a state of matter, like air, that has no fixed shape or volume and spreads to fill its container.
What is the difference between a gas and a vapour?
Both are gaseous, but the terms differ. A gas is a substance that is naturally in the gaseous state at ordinary temperatures, like oxygen. A vapour is the gaseous form of something usually liquid or solid at those temperatures, such as water vapour from boiling water. The distinction is about normal conditions.
What are the states of matter?
Matter commonly exists in three states: solid, liquid and gas. A solid holds a fixed shape and volume, a liquid keeps its volume but takes the shape of its container, and a gas has neither fixed shape nor volume, spreading to fill any space. Plasma is often listed as a fourth state.
What is an example of a gas?
The air we breathe is a mixture of gases, mainly nitrogen and oxygen. Other everyday examples include helium in balloons, carbon dioxide in fizzy drinks, and natural gas used for heating and cooking. Each has no fixed shape or volume and spreads out to fill its container.
Does 'gas' mean the same as petrol?
It depends on where you are. In American English, 'gas' is short for gasoline, the fuel used in cars, which British English calls petrol. In science, and in British usage generally, 'gas' means a state of matter such as air. The intended meaning is usually clear from context.
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