fossil fuel

noun

: a fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) formed in the earth from plant or animal remains

fossil-fueled

ˈfä-səl-ˌfyü(-ə)ld 

adjective

Examples of fossil fuel in a Sentence

oil and other fossil fuels

Recent Examples on the Web

In April, for example, 57 countries met in Santa Marta, Colombia, to work through how to remove the barriers to transitioning away from fossil fuels. — Laurence Tubiana, Time, 6 Nov. 2026

Countries are expanding the share of energy coming from these cleaner sources when compared to fossil fuels, particularly outside of the US. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

And the last two summits have ended with little agreement on how to reduce emissions, the final texts not even mentioning fossil fuels. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026

Now, the fossil fuel industry is following that same playbook to avoid accountability. — Melinda Tuhus, Hartford Courant, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fossil fuel

• accrual
• nonfuel
• refuel
• renewal
• biofuel
• contextual
• nonrenewal
• nonsexual
• unusual
• cruel
• dual
• duel

Kids Definition

fossil fuel

noun

: a fuel (as coal, oil, or natural gas) that is formed in the earth from plant or animal remains