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

Europe is the planet’s fastest-warming continent and these kinds of extreme heat waves are only expected to become more severe, frequent and prolonged unless humans rapidly phase out fossil fuels, the scientists said. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and, like many of the other countries in the region, its vast fortune was built on fossil fuels. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Yet fossil fuel consumption continues to rise because cheap, reliable power drives growth, and global emissions have set records nearly every year since 2006. — Bjorn Lomborg, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026

Instead, companies could gradually reduce their dependence on fossil fuels while improving resilience and managing energy costs. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 June 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