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
What’s at stake: The influential Corporation Commission regulates public utilities, oil, gas and other energy sources, commercial transportation and petroleum storage tanks.
—
USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
In January 2023, during debate on a Republican bill (which James supported) to maintain strategic petroleum reserves until the Biden administration developed a plan to allow more drilling on federal lands, a Democratic amendment was offered to leave the Great Lakes out of any such plan.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 28 Oct. 2024
Ocean vessels are heavy polluters, most of them running on what’s called heavy fuel oil — thick, tar-like residue left over after refining other petroleum products.
—Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
Most but not all in the petroleum business recognized that predictions of a peak in oil production were not based on solid analysis, but many still think that oil prices have to rise over the long term.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for petroleum 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
In January 2023, during debate on a Republican bill (which James supported) to maintain strategic petroleum reserves until the Biden administration developed a plan to allow more drilling on federal lands, a Democratic amendment was offered to leave the Great Lakes out of any such plan.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 28 Oct. 2024
Ocean vessels are heavy polluters, most of them running on what’s called heavy fuel oil — thick, tar-like residue left over after refining other petroleum products.
—Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
Most but not all in the petroleum business recognized that predictions of a peak in oil production were not based on solid analysis, but many still think that oil prices have to rise over the long term.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes, 18 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 7 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share