fossil fuel
noun
: a fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) formed in the earth from plant or animal remains
Examples of fossil fuel in a Sentence
oil and other fossil fuels
Recent Examples on the Web
Another bill that became law, Senate Bill 1291, bans companies that do business with the state from boycotting energy industries, including fossil fuels, and the firearm industry.
—
Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024
Plastic is created from fossil fuels, the biggest contributor to greenhouse gases.
—Kim Severson, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Most Californians will receive a credit on their gas and electric bills this month as part of the California Climate Credit program, which aims to offset rising prices for customers while reducing the state’s reliance on fossil fuels.
—Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
The hope is that heat pumps like these can help the city and the state transition away from fossil fuels; New York is part of a consortium of nine states aiming to get heat pumps to account for 65 percent of residential heating, AC, and water-heating shipments by 2030.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 29 Mar. 2024
Or a rural community, once dependent on fossil fuels, thriving on the skills to build a greener future.
—Jeff Sprau, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Chevron newsrooms begin in South America In launching the Standard, Chevron followed a path the fossil fuel giant had first forged thousands of miles to the south.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 28 Mar. 2024
Electricity:Indiana customers continue to face higher bills as fossil fuels plants break, costs skyrocket
CenterPoint's request would raise its annual revenues by approximately $119 million or 16.5% over the next couple years.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Mar. 2024
India cannot rely on fossil fuels for its burgeoning needs without disastrous consequences for efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
—Diksha Madhok, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024
Plastic is created from fossil fuels, the biggest contributor to greenhouse gases.
—Kim Severson, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Most Californians will receive a credit on their gas and electric bills this month as part of the California Climate Credit program, which aims to offset rising prices for customers while reducing the state’s reliance on fossil fuels.
—Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
The hope is that heat pumps like these can help the city and the state transition away from fossil fuels; New York is part of a consortium of nine states aiming to get heat pumps to account for 65 percent of residential heating, AC, and water-heating shipments by 2030.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 29 Mar. 2024
Or a rural community, once dependent on fossil fuels, thriving on the skills to build a greener future.
—Jeff Sprau, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Chevron newsrooms begin in South America In launching the Standard, Chevron followed a path the fossil fuel giant had first forged thousands of miles to the south.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 28 Mar. 2024
Electricity:Indiana customers continue to face higher bills as fossil fuels plants break, costs skyrocket
CenterPoint's request would raise its annual revenues by approximately $119 million or 16.5% over the next couple years.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Mar. 2024
India cannot rely on fossil fuels for its burgeoning needs without disastrous consequences for efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
—Diksha Madhok, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fossil fuel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1759, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near fossil fuel
Cite this Entry
“Fossil fuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fossil%20fuel. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fossil fuel
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