biodiesel

noun bio·die·sel \ -ˈdē-zəl , -səl \

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Definition of biodiesel

: a fuel that is similar to diesel fuel and is derived from usually vegetable sources (such as soybean oil)

Recent Examples of biodiesel from the Web

The plant is forty times the size of the Dallas pilot plant, sufficient to start making and selling 50 million gallons of biodiesel per year.

— michael j. mooney, Popular Mechanics, "Inside the Koch Brothers' Industrial Empire," 9 Oct. 2015
Two Poma lifts powered by a biodiesel generator bring skiers to the Twin Lakes Headwall for 600 acres of above-tree-line bowl skiing, including cornices to huck and rails to slide.

— megan michelson, Outside Online, "How to Ski All Summer Long," 5 July 2018
State law covering video gambling allows an exemption from that rule for truck stops that are on at least three acres and sell a minimum of 10,000 gallons a month of diesel or biodiesel fuel.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Annexation hearing scheduled for gas station that wants 24/7 gambling," 4 July 2018
But in the months that followed, the scandal only grew, even as Mr. Greitens tried to move past it, making statements on tax cuts and funds to produce biodiesel.

— New York Times, "Missouri’s Governor, a Rising G.O.P. Star, Resigns Amid Scandal," 29 May 2018
Maher had been an officer in a biodiesel company named Clean Fuel Lakeland.

— mary shanklin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Thornton Park offices to get medical supply headquarters," 20 Apr. 2018
Refiners without the capability to blend ethanol or biodiesel to meet the annual consumption targets under the law have to buy the credits.

— mario parker, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Ethanol Moves May Be Worse for Farmers Than Soy Tariff," 10 Apr. 2018
Greitens hosted a relatively rare public event Thursday in Jefferson City to announce funding for biodiesel facilities.

— david a. lieb, chicagotribune.com, "Missouri governor vows he won't quit amid allegations," 17 May 2018
At the same time, farmers are competing with the oil industry for Trump’s support as the White House considers loosening a requirement that oil refiners mix ethanol and biodiesel, made from corn and soybeans, with petroleum.

— scott dance, baltimoresun.com, "Threat of soybean tariffs raise fears among Maryland farmers, and questions about 'America first'," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'biodiesel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.