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
According to Dunn, liquid detergents are based on surfactants and they’re made with oil, either vegetable or crude oil/petroleum.
—
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2024
Rising exports of petroleum and petroleum products (+14.4%) played a role, but so did a surge in civilian aircraft (+38.7%), computers and peripherals (+64.3%), other capital goods other than cars and trucks – any kind of machinery — (+21.1%), as well as education and tourism (+5.6%), among others.
—Christian Weller, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
The country exported no commodities to China last year, the data shows, but Zhao has regularly posted photos of him meeting Taliban officials responsible for mining, petroleum, trade and regional connectivity since his appointment last September.
—Reuters, NBC News, 25 Oct. 2024
Using carbon, instead of the usual petroleum, makes the asphalt stronger, cheaper and greener.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for petroleum 
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Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2024
Rising exports of petroleum and petroleum products (+14.4%) played a role, but so did a surge in civilian aircraft (+38.7%), computers and peripherals (+64.3%), other capital goods other than cars and trucks – any kind of machinery — (+21.1%), as well as education and tourism (+5.6%), among others.
—Christian Weller, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
The country exported no commodities to China last year, the data shows, but Zhao has regularly posted photos of him meeting Taliban officials responsible for mining, petroleum, trade and regional connectivity since his appointment last September.
—Reuters, NBC News, 25 Oct. 2024
Using carbon, instead of the usual petroleum, makes the asphalt stronger, cheaper and greener.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for petroleum
Dictionary Entries Near petroleum
Cite this Entry
“Petroleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroleum. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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