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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The gems form in the hydrocarbon-rich oceans of slush that swath the gas giants' solid cores.
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The hazy atmosphere is full of smog-like clouds that rain down liquid methane, and the lakes contain highly flammable hydrocarbons (the main component of gasoline) that would quickly catch fire if oxygen were present.
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Using data from ALMA, a network of radio telescopes in northern Chile, the scientists found vinyl cyanide, a hydrocarbon compound, in significant amounts in the dense atmosphere.
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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.
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
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Medical Dictionary
medical Definition of hydrocarbon
:an organic compound (as acetylene, benzene, or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens
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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