hydraulic fracturing
noun
: fracking
The gas-fired plants come courtesy of the revolution in hydraulic fracturing ("fracking"), which has delivered a vast supply of low-cost natural gas to an electricity market that has struggled with steadily rising coal prices since 2001.—
Jerry Taylor and Peter Van Doren
Jerry Taylor and Peter Van DorenExamples of hydraulic fracturing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The most visible and economically significant of the new production technologies, hydraulic fracturing of shale hydrocarbons (fracking), was fostered by various arms of the federal government starting in the 1970s.
—William H. Janeway, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2013
His relationship with oil magnate Harold Hamm, the richest man in Oklahoma and a pioneer in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling technology, has been well-documented.
—Mary Steurer, ProPublica, 24 Jan. 2025
The United States could fund efforts to use the technologies of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to open underground geothermal reservoirs whose heat could be tapped to generate electricity.
—Varun Sivaram, Foreign Affairs, 17 May 2017
Trump's choice for energy secretary is Chris Wright, CEO of hydraulic fracturing drilling company Liberty Energy and a vocal advocate for fracking and oil and gas development.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydraulic fracturing
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
William H. Janeway, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2013
His relationship with oil magnate Harold Hamm, the richest man in Oklahoma and a pioneer in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling technology, has been well-documented.
—Mary Steurer, ProPublica, 24 Jan. 2025
The United States could fund efforts to use the technologies of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to open underground geothermal reservoirs whose heat could be tapped to generate electricity.
—Varun Sivaram, Foreign Affairs, 17 May 2017
Trump's choice for energy secretary is Chris Wright, CEO of hydraulic fracturing drilling company Liberty Energy and a vocal advocate for fracking and oil and gas development.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydraulic fracturing
Cite this Entry
“Hydraulic fracturing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydraulic%20fracturing. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share