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Definition of hydrocarbon
: an organic compound (such as acetylene or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens
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Recent Examples of hydrocarbon from the Web
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Likewise, unburned hydrocarbon and CO emissions are handled by technologies like lean combustion and oxidation catalysts in cars with functioning emissions control systems.
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But all energy transitions, such as that from coal to hydrocarbons in the 20th century, take many decades.
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These long-chain hydrocarbon compounds smother the reverb like a blanket snuffing out a campfire.
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As Mira Abed reports for the Los Angeles Times, the team suspected bitumen water bottles might have been harmful to ancient people's health because petroleum releases toxic pollutants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs.
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In 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency found elevated levels (pdf) of arsenic, lead and carcinogenic hydrocarbons—courtesy of a nearby coking plant—near 35th Avenue in the black neighborhood of North Birmingham, Ala.
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The Cypriot government insists drilling is it's sovereign right and that any hydrocarbon proceeds will be shared after a peace deal is sealed, signed and delivered.
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Trailing only Saudi Arabia and Venezuela in proved reserves, the sticky deposits of sand, water, clay and hydrocarbons in the remote boreal forests of Canada are some of the hardest and most expensive to extract.
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One hot spot is contaminated with hydrocarbons, suggesting someone may have dumped oil or other petroleum products.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hydrocarbon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of hydrocarbon
1826
HYDROCARBON Defined for English Language Learners
hydrocarbon
playDefinition of hydrocarbon for English Language Learners
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: a substance (such as coal or natural gas) that contains only carbon and hydrogen
HYDROCARBON Defined for Kids
hydrocarbon
playDefinition of hydrocarbon for Students
: a substance containing only carbon and hydrogen
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about hydrocarbon
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Spanish Central: Translation of hydrocarbon Nglish: Translation of hydrocarbon for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hydrocarbon
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