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

Interestingly, a molecular scaffold was created by attaching tiny hydrocarbon chains to its carbon skeleton. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2026

For Big Oil, that still often means hydrocarbons, especially oil, gas, and LNG. — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

De la Espriella has pledged to open up the countryside to fracking and reverse Petro's moratorium on new hydrocarbon and mining contracts. — John Otis, NPR, 21 June 2026

At Washington’s insistence, Rodríguez’s government passed a new hydrocarbon law, which gives private companies greater autonomy to operate oil fields and sell the crude. — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 17 June 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