biofuel
noun
Did you know?
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
Joe Sills, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
North Dakota also has large amounts of coal, wind energy, and biofuel production.
—Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Jan. 2025
These maps show why Nov. 21, 2024 Environmental advocates also worry that the forest thinning portion of the project will focus more on biofuel companies’ bottom lines than forest health, doing little to prevent wildfires.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
Such is certainly not the case in Europe, North America and the rest of the Western world, though, where the plant is typically only grown as a source of biofuel.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for biofuel
Cite this Entry
“Biofuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biofuel. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy Citation
Share