refinery

noun

re·​fin·​ery ri-ˈfī-nə-rē 

-ˈfīn-rē

plural refineries

: a building and equipment for refining or processing something (such as oil or sugar)

Examples of refinery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In his latest visit to Moscow, Min Aung Hlaing granted Russia rights to extract minerals in Myanmar’s conflict zones and build an oil refinery and a port in the coastal city Dawei. —Tharaphi Than, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025

According to the Treasury, the refinery processed Iranian oil worth hundreds of millions of dollars. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025

The oil company operates the largest refinery on the West Coast in McOsker’s district and nearby Carson. —Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025

The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, claimed Russian air defense forces repelled an attack on the capital by four drones while Krasnodar's governor confirmed a fire is currently burning following a strike on Tuapse oil refinery. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1741, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for refinery

• binary
• finery
• winery

Kids Definition

refinery

noun

re·​fin·​ery ri-ˈfīn-(ə-)rē 

plural refineries

: a building and equipment for refining metals, oil, or sugar