kerosene

noun

ker·​o·​sene ˈker-ə-ˌsēn  ˌker-ə-ˈsēn 

variants or less commonly kerosine

: a flammable hydrocarbon oil usually obtained by distillation of petroleum and used as a fuel, solvent, and thinner

Examples of kerosene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

FTCs can be claimed on nontaxable use of gasoline, aviation gasoline, undyed diesel fuel or undyed kerosene, and can only be claimed by those own or operate a business and meet certain requirements, such as running a farm or purchasing aviation gasoline. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025

View gallery - 4 images Showing how far AI engineering has come, a new aerospike engine burning oxygen and kerosene capable of 1,100 lb (5,000 N) of thrust has successfully been hot-fired for 11 seconds. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 22 Dec. 2024

Questions swirled since Saturday, swept up in the bitter frustration of a third straight defeat and doused in the kerosene of social media. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

Connecting the kerosene in Bolish’s car to the scene of the crime. —Sarah Wyman, Scientific American, 27 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek kēros + English -ene (as in camphene)

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

kerosene

noun

ker·​o·​sene

variants also kerosine

ˈker-ə-ˌsēn 

ker-ə-ˈsēn,

ˈkar-,

ˌkar-

: a thin oil obtained from petroleum and used as a fuel and solvent

Medical Definition

kerosene

noun

ker·​o·​sene

variants also kerosine

ˈker-ə-ˌsēn  ˌker-ə-ˈ 

ˈkar-,

ˌkar-

: a flammable hydrocarbon oil usually obtained by distillation of petroleum and used for a fuel and as a solvent and thinner (as in insecticide emulsions)