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

Seven years ago, much to the surprise and dismay of many, Ardern declared the age of oil and gas was over and said the New Zealand government won’t issue any more permits for offshore hydrocarbon exploration in its South Pacific exclusive zone. —Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

The Ford Ranger failed all three emissions categories: Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Total hydrocarbons (THC), and Particulate Number (PN). —Joe Salas july 31, New Atlas, 31 July 2025

Terpenes are aromatic hydrocarbons found in plants, animals and fungi. —Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2025

These hydrocarbons are all different weights, and the lighter ones don’t long survive contact with the air. —Ian Rose, JSTOR Daily, 23 July 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