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petroleum
noun
pe·tro·leum
pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm
-ˈtrōl-yəm
: an oily flammable bituminous liquid that may vary from almost colorless to black, occurs in many places in the upper strata of the earth, is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons with small amounts of other substances, and is prepared for use as gasoline, naphtha, or other products by various refining processes
Examples of petroleum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said this is a sign that gas prices are normalizing after the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors.
—Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
On average, Mexican crude exports to the U.S. reached 733 thousand barrels per day in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, while Mexico imported 1.2 million barrels per day of U.S. petroleum products and 6.8 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas.
—Aldo Flores-Quiroga, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, has forecast that U.S. gas prices could jump 30 to 40 cents a gallon, and potentially up to 70 cents, shortly after Trump's tariffs took effect.
—Ahmad Mukhtar, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2024
An oil spill in a Boston river on Sunday has threatened nearby wildlife as rescue efforts to save dozens of geese and ducks coated in hazardous petroleum continued on Monday.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
Middle English, "mineral oil," borrowed from Medieval Latin, "mineral oil, crude oil," from Latin petra "rock" (borrowed from Greek pétra) + oleum "oil" — more at petro-, oil entry 1
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of petroleum was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing petroleum
Dictionary Entries Near petroleum
Cite this Entry
“Petroleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroleum. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
petroleum
noun
pe·tro·leum
pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm
-ˈtrōl-yəm
: an oily flammable liquid that may vary from almost colorless to black, is obtained from wells drilled in the ground, and is the source of gasoline, kerosene, fuel oils, and other products
Medical Definition
petroleum
noun
pe·tro·leum
pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm, -ˈtrōl-yəm
: an oily flammable bituminous liquid that may vary from almost colorless to black, occurs in many places in the upper strata of the earth, is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons with small amounts of other substances, and is prepared for use as gasoline, naphtha, or other products by various refining processes
More from Merriam-Webster on petroleum
Nglish: Translation of petroleum for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of petroleum for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about petroleum
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