hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon ˈhī-drō-ˌkär-bən 

: an organic compound (such as acetylene or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens

Examples of hydrocarbon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, this high-temperature environment causes the plastic polymers to break down into smaller hydrocarbon molecules. —Alexander Kaplitz, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025

The challenge with heat is that it's associated with carbon emissions from the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel. —Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

The report speculates that hydrocarbon gas leaked from the refinery’s process units when two workers opened equipment at approximately 1:30 p.m. in preparation for scheduled maintenance. —Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2025

Some are near cold seeps – where hydrocarbons trapped beneath the seafloor escape upwards in columns of bubbles. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hydrocarbon

• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
• polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon

Rhymes for hydrocarbon

• fluorocarbon
• carbon

Kids Definition

hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon ˌhī-drə-ˈkär-bən 

: a compound containing only carbon and hydrogen

Medical Definition

hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon -ˈkär-bən 

: an organic compound (as acetylene, benzene, or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens