petrochemical

noun

pet·​ro·​chem·​i·​cal ˌpe-trō-ˈke-mi-kəl 

: a chemical isolated or derived from petroleum or natural gas

petrochemistry

ˌpe-trō-ˈke-mə-strē 

noun

Examples of petrochemical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That could also affect the cost of products made from natural gas, such as petrochemical feedstock. —Cathy Bussewitz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

Firefighters battled a blaze after an Iranian drone strike in the industrial city of Ruwais, home to petrochemical plants, officials said. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026

Substantial amounts of petrochemicals and plastics feedstocks also flow through Hormuz and flow through many industries. —Kevin Williams, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026

Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, nylon and acrylic, are made from petrochemical feedstocks. —André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

petro- + chemical entry 2

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for petrochemical

• academical
• agrochemical
• biochemical
• cytochemical
• geochemical
• histochemical
• microchemical
• neurochemical
• photochemical
• phytochemical
• spectrochemical
• thermochemical

Kids Definition

petrochemical

noun

pet·​ro·​chem·​i·​cal ˌpe-trō-ˈkem-i-kəl 

: a chemical obtained from petroleum or natural gas