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
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Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, touted the decrease in fuel costs, with the national average flirting with the $3-per-gallon price point.
—
Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
In 1995, Cheney briefly served as chairman and CEO of Halliburton, a petroleum industry engineering and construction company.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
But that might not last, according to one petroleum analyst.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 3 Nov. 2025
The sanctions limit North Korea's imports of refined petroleum and crude oil, as well as its exports of coal.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
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Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
In 1995, Cheney briefly served as chairman and CEO of Halliburton, a petroleum industry engineering and construction company.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
But that might not last, according to one petroleum analyst.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 3 Nov. 2025
The sanctions limit North Korea's imports of refined petroleum and crude oil, as well as its exports of coal.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
Cite this Entry
“Petroleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroleum. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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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