hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon ˈhī-drō-ˌkär-bən 

: an organic compound (such as acetylene or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens

Examples of hydrocarbon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

First developed nearly a century ago, the FT process passes a syngas, or synthesis gas, over a metal catalyst such as iron or cobalt under high heat and pressure to polymerize into long-chain hydrocarbons. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026

Mads Claus Rasmussen | Afp | Getty Images Greenland Energy is an oil and gas exploration firm focused on trying to unlock the hydrocarbon potential of the Jameson Land Basin on the island’s east coast. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026

One goal is to identify bacterial genes associated with degradation of BTEX and other hydrocarbons. — Catherine Armbruster, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

At issue is territory claimed by both that is believed to contain large, exploitable amounts of natural gas and other hydrocarbons. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hydrocarbon

• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
• polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon

Rhymes for hydrocarbon

• fluorocarbon
• carbon
• radiocarbon

Kids Definition

hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon ˌhī-drə-ˈkär-bən 

: a compound containing only carbon and hydrogen

Medical Definition

hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon -ˈkär-bən 

: an organic compound (as acetylene, benzene, or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens