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

Bringing these capabilities together is intended to make superhot geothermal power scalable and cost-competitive with fossil fuels. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

Increasing greenhouse gas concentrations, largely from burning fossil fuels, have pushed global temperatures so high that sea levels are rising, and shrinking glaciers and thawing permafrost are leaving mountainsides less stable. — Tarun Gopalakrishnan, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

Part of that means making the argument against fossil fuels, which Steyer argues are waging a losing battle for relevance as renewable energy sources become cheaper. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Ravel reported that a preliminary third-party life-cycle assessment found its process could use as much as 86 percent less fossil fuel and 98 percent less water than conventional PET production. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 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