fossil fuel

noun

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

Examples of fossil fuel in a Sentence

oil and other fossil fuels
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Spain’s arid climate and lack of domestic fossil fuel resources focused national R&D programs on RO desalination. Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 Its discontinuation is another Trump-administration blow to the public’s view into how fossil fuel pollution is changing the world around them and making extreme weather more costly. Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 8 May 2025 Energy security at risk The shale revolution over the past 15 years has transformed the U.S. into the largest fossil fuel producer in the world, with the country pumping more oil and gas than Saudi Arabia and Russia combined, the CEO said. Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 6 May 2025 Ars Video The Trump administration has warned that losing the AI race to China is a bigger threat to the world than global warming and has advocated increasing the use of fossil fuels to power them. ArsTechnica, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fossil fuel

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fossil fuel was in 1759

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fossil fuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fossil%20fuel. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

fossil fuel

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

More from Merriam-Webster on fossil fuel

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