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

Considering the quantity of hydrocarbons that are naturally entering Gulf of Mexico waters, what exactly constitutes an environmental disaster? —Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026

France is similarly leaning towards reducing reliance on hydrocarbons. —Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Mexico’s government reported that 800 tons of hydrocarbon-laden waste have spilled into the ocean. —Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026

However, in recent years each state has pursued strategies aimed at reducing dependence on hydrocarbons through the expansion of finance, tourism, logistics, technology, and manufacturing. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 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

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