biofuel

noun

bio·fu·el ˌbi-(ˌ)ō-ˈfyü(-ə)l

: a fuel (such as wood or ethanol) composed of or produced from biological raw materials compare fossil fuel

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Since the early 19th century, "fossil fuel" has been used to refer to fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas which are formed from the remains of plants and animals which have lain in the earth for millions of years. In the 1970s, a new word, "biofuel," began to be used to describe a different kind of fuel, one taken from more contemporary organic matter. These fuels include ethanol, which can be derived from such products as corn and sugarcane, and biodiesel, which can be formed from vegetable oils. These organic sources are reflected in the prefix, bio-, meaning "life" or "living organisms or tissue." The prefix bio- was borrowed from the Greek bios, meaning "mode of life."

Examples of biofuel in a Sentence

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The decrease is attributed to a reduction in demand for soybean oil, especially from the biofuels sector. —

Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024 Some environmentalists are skeptical, saying biofuels are still pretty dirty. —

Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 For biofuels companies or electric cooperatives, no public source is as knowledgeable about your processes or services as you. —

Marcus Squier, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Global oil demand, including biofuels, averaged just over 102 million barrels per day in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency. —

Natasha Turak, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for biofuel