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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But relying on fast-dwindling hydrocarbons is unlikely to be a sustainable model.
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Frazer settled on Nylon-12, a polymer whose relatively long hydrocarbon-chain length gives it unusual stability through changes in humidity and temperature.
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Just to make life even more confusing, there are a whole range of materials that catalyze pyrolysis reactions to create different types of hydrocarbons.
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With a relatively small population relative to Iran and reliance on hydrocarbons for a reliable revenue stream, the Saudis need a powerful partner — and only the United States can provide the full range of security guarantees.
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Energy end uses typically reliant on hydrocarbon combustion — notably transportation and heating and cooling — must transition quickly to electricity.
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The Arctic is estimated to hold more hydrocarbon reserves than Saudi Arabia and Russia.
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As hydrocarbon gases sink toward their cores, increasing pressure squeezes out the hydrogen atoms and presses the remaining carbon into diamond, which travels through the planet’s heart as very pricey precipitation.
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Now, researchers have discovered how some bacteria manage to make the toxic hydrocarbon.
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
Definition 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
Definition 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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