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

Governments may see higher hydrocarbon revenue if the disruption is short and energy infrastructure is largely left intact. —Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026

When fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas burn, the combustion sends toxic compounds such as hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, heavy metals and particulate matter into the atmosphere. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026

The Iranian Environmental Protection Organization warned people to stay indoors, as the explosions had released large amounts of toxic hydrocarbons and sulfur and nitrogen oxides. —Alexander Smith, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026

The Persian Gulf is gifted with a fabulous hydrocarbon endowment, worth trillions of dollars. —Javier Blas, Twin Cities, 9 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