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

Using precious metals and chemical reactions, catalytic converters transform harmful carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides into significantly less harmful carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapor. — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Jet fuel uses hydrocarbons containing between 8 and 16 carbon atoms (C8–C16). — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026

There’d be a new, independent hydrocarbon agency, and royalties would be kept low. — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

But the hydrocarbon blend that Lima was working with was a simple fluid. — Rohini Subrahmanyam, Quanta Magazine, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hydrocarbon

• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
• polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon

Rhymes for hydrocarbon

• fluorocarbon
• carbon
• radiocarbon

Kids Definition

hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon ˌhī-drə-ˈkär-bən 

: a compound containing only carbon and hydrogen

Medical Definition

hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon -ˈkär-bən 

: an organic compound (as acetylene, benzene, or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens