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
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The presence of liquid water, heat and the right chemicals (such as phosphorus and complex hydrocarbons) means that its sub-surface ocean is believed to be one of the best places in our solar system for life to have evolved outside the Earth, according to scientists.
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Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
As the world grows hotter and the costs of climate change mount, those that cling to costly, outdated energy systems will face higher prices, greater geopolitical threats, and backlash from consumers unwilling to accept the economic and security consequences of hydrocarbons.
—John Kerry, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Given that non-polar hydrocarbons are common throughout Titan's atmosphere and surface, scientists at JPL wanted to know what happens to the hydrogen cyanide after its creation.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2025
The Cultural Terrace bid, awarded March 26, 2024, had 29 cubic yards of hydrocarbon contaminated soil for excavation and disposal, according to the city’s bid documents.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
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Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
As the world grows hotter and the costs of climate change mount, those that cling to costly, outdated energy systems will face higher prices, greater geopolitical threats, and backlash from consumers unwilling to accept the economic and security consequences of hydrocarbons.
—John Kerry, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Given that non-polar hydrocarbons are common throughout Titan's atmosphere and surface, scientists at JPL wanted to know what happens to the hydrogen cyanide after its creation.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2025
The Cultural Terrace bid, awarded March 26, 2024, had 29 cubic yards of hydrocarbon contaminated soil for excavation and disposal, according to the city’s bid documents.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydrocarbon
Cite this Entry
“Hydrocarbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrocarbon. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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hydrocarbon
noun
hy·dro·car·bon
ˌhī-drə-ˈkär-bən
: a compound containing only carbon and hydrogen
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