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
Alyse Killeen, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
Oil giants Shell and BP are slowing ambitious investments in biofuels production.
—Alan Neuhauser, Axios, 5 Aug. 2024
Whether biofuels used for vehicles reduce carbon emissions is contentious and depends on many factors, including their source.
—Anna Cooban, CNN, 24 July 2024
The legumes also produce oil that can be used as a biofuel, largely for aviation, which leaves a very low carbon footprint, said Ron Edwards, chairman of Terviva’s board of directors and a long-time Florida citrus grower.
—Freida Frisaro, Orlando Sentinel, 6 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for biofuel 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biofuel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near biofuel
Cite this Entry
“Biofuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biofuel. Accessed 18 Sep. 2024.
Copy Citation
Share