petroleum

noun

pe·​tro·​leum pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm How to pronounce petroleum (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 

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

Dictionary Entries Near petroleum

Cite this Entry

“Petroleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroleum. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

petroleum

noun
pe·​tro·​leum pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm How to pronounce petroleum (audio)
-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
: 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

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