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

Protests over the soaring cost of fuel spread disruption across Ireland on Saturday with many gas stations running dry as truck and tractor drivers staged a fifth day of blockades at the country’s sole fuel refinery and several depots. —Brian Melley, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026

Patel has worked for the refinery for 15 years, and Grzybowski has worked there for 17 years. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026

The government has asked the country’s army to be on standby to remove blockades at terminals and refineries. —Michael Considine, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026

Within the first 24 hours of the deal, an oil refinery in Iran was struck and five Gulf Arab states reported attacks from Iranian drones and missiles. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026

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