hydrocarbon
noun
hy·dro·car·bon
ˈhī-drō-ˌkär-bən 
: an organic compound (such as acetylene or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens
Examples of hydrocarbon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2020, Aramco made the world’s first shipment, to Japan, of blue ammonia—liquified hydrogen created from hydrocarbons.
—
Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 23 May 2024
Natural gas and oil reserves are expected to turn the tiny coastal country into a hydrocarbon power in Africa.
—Elian Peltier Annika Hammerschlag, New York Times, 18 May 2024
Henry confirmed that vacuum gas oil, which is a combination of hydrocarbons and additives to various kinds of fuel, was leaked into the water.
—Robbie Farias, USA TODAY, 15 May 2024
So long as the bloc continues to depend heavily on fossil fuels, Norwegian hydrocarbons will be essential to keeping the lights on in Europe.
—Priscila Azevedo Rocha, Fortune Europe, 13 May 2024
For now, though, the massive profits from those hydrocarbons are playing a dual role, laying a foundation for a modernized, multi-industry economy while putting MBS closer to the center of the world’s geopolitical web.
—Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Made from paraffinic oil hydrocarbons, it is also called renewable diesel or green diesel.
—Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
After Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Western nations introduced sweeping sanctions targeting Russian sales of hydrocarbons — including oil, gas and coal.
—Constant Méheut, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Saudi Arabia’s massive building spree, and its huge investments, depend on Aramco finding top-dollar value for its hydrocarbons.
—Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 23 May 2024
Natural gas and oil reserves are expected to turn the tiny coastal country into a hydrocarbon power in Africa.
—Elian Peltier Annika Hammerschlag, New York Times, 18 May 2024
Henry confirmed that vacuum gas oil, which is a combination of hydrocarbons and additives to various kinds of fuel, was leaked into the water.
—Robbie Farias, USA TODAY, 15 May 2024
So long as the bloc continues to depend heavily on fossil fuels, Norwegian hydrocarbons will be essential to keeping the lights on in Europe.
—Priscila Azevedo Rocha, Fortune Europe, 13 May 2024
For now, though, the massive profits from those hydrocarbons are playing a dual role, laying a foundation for a modernized, multi-industry economy while putting MBS closer to the center of the world’s geopolitical web.
—Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Made from paraffinic oil hydrocarbons, it is also called renewable diesel or green diesel.
—Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
After Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Western nations introduced sweeping sanctions targeting Russian sales of hydrocarbons — including oil, gas and coal.
—Constant Méheut, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Saudi Arabia’s massive building spree, and its huge investments, depend on Aramco finding top-dollar value for its hydrocarbons.
—Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hydrocarbon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near hydrocarbon
Cite this Entry
“Hydrocarbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrocarbon. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hydrocarbon
noun
hy·dro·car·bon
ˌhī-drə-ˈkär-bən
: a compound containing only carbon and hydrogen
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