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

But López Obrador has defended hydrocarbons since his youth, and the energy reform became a rallying cry for MORENA. —Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025

To preserve its energy advantage, the U.S. must remain a global leader in both hydrocarbons and the next generation of clean energy technologies. —Dan Eberhart, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

The molecules are known as alkanes, hydrocarbons that combine chains of carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached to them. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2025

The seeds are crushed twice under high heat and pressure then exposed to hexane, a colorless liquid hydrocarbon and solvent, experts said. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025

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

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