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

Chevron, one of the largest hydrocarbon producers in the US, owns 25% of Tamar and gave its blessing to add SOCAR to the consortium. —Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025

According to the National Cancer Institute, exposure to hydrocarbons can increase the risk of certain types of cancers. —Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025

But Russia’s reliance on hydrocarbon production makes its economy vulnerable as the world shifts toward renewable energy—especially if agriculture, shipping, and other newly viable forms of economic activity cannot fill the void left by declining fossil fuel exports. —Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025

Another threat to the barrier is environmental pollution such as particulate matter and hydrocarbons. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 6 Feb. 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