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

So, even after the military campaign ends, maintaining secure access through the strait for hydrocarbons will be an enduring concern. —Derek Chollet, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026

Gas flares — huge 25-foot flames that are created when hydrocarbons (a by-product of oil extraction) are burned off into the atmosphere. —Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026

Dragonfly will study Titan's surface, which could give scientists clues on whether or not the moon's hydrocarbon lakes and rivers hold molecules that are a precursor for life. —Julian Dossett, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2026

Without baryte, Wang noted, modern hydrocarbon exploration – including shale extraction – would effectively come to a standstill. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 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