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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PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), which form when meat is smoked, charred or cooked over an open flame, are also found in tobacco smoke.
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The unconditional truth remains in the fact that the hydrocarbon power industry has been and will be in demand.
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Research scientist Amin Salehi-Khojin and his colleagues at the University of Illinois at Chicago have developed another artificial leaf that converts sunlight and carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons, including liquid fuels.
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The burning drill rig and underwater plume of hydrocarbons was a media sensation, an unfolding crisis replete with stunning pictures and a herculean mobilization of humans and technology.
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Chemical analyses showed 15 organic chemicals, including three toxic chlorinated hydrocarbons.
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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