biofuel
noun
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Since the early 19th century, "fossil fuel" has been used to refer to fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas which are formed from the remains of plants and animals which have lain in the earth for millions of years. In the 1970s, a new word, "biofuel," began to be used to describe a different kind of fuel, one taken from more contemporary organic matter. These fuels include ethanol, which can be derived from such products as corn and sugarcane, and biodiesel, which can be formed from vegetable oils. These organic sources are reflected in the prefix, bio-, meaning "life" or "living organisms or tissue." The prefix bio- was borrowed from the Greek bios, meaning "mode of life."
Examples of biofuel in a Sentence
Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 1 May 2025
The algae offers enormous potential benefits, including for food production and biofuel development.
—Avery Schuyler Nunn, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
The biofuels industry and politicians in both major parties argue that ethanol helps farmers, lowers prices at the pump and reduces greenhouse gas because the fuel burns more cleanly than straight gasoline.
—John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025
These orders contain language that could block enforcement of state and local laws that are obstacles to production or use of coal, oil, natural gas, hydropower, geothermal, biofuel and nuclear energy and potentially withdraw regulations that affect energy projects and the environment.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Biofuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biofuel. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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