kerosene

noun

ker·o·sene | \ ˈker-ə-ˌsēn

, ˌker-ə-ˈsēn\

variants: or less commonly kerosine

Definition of kerosene

: a flammable hydrocarbon oil usually obtained by distillation of petroleum and used as a fuel, solvent, and thinner

Examples of kerosene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Liquid fuel is usually white gas or kerosene and attaches to the stove through a refillable bottle. — Kraig Becker, Popular Mechanics, "How to Set Up Camp," 2 Apr. 2019 Heather Chrisler — an utterly fearless Chicago actress — noted what had transpired and used the moment like kerosene on stage. — Chicago Tribune, chicagotribune.com, "12 shows to see now," 22 June 2018 But the push also poured political kerosene on an issue that many Democrats credit with powering their midterm election victories in November. — Elana Schor, The Seattle Times, "Democrats pivot to health care as Trump attacks ‘Obamacare’," 27 Mar. 2019 Official fuel-export quotas, which include diesel and kerosene, jumped 35% last year, and China may raise them again so refiners can maintain production. — Paul Page, WSJ, "Today’s Logistics Report: Packaging for Refills; Airbus May Take Wing; Walmart’s Driving Trucks," 25 Jan. 2019 It will be powered by liquid oxygen (known in the space business as LOX) and cryogenic liquid methane, rather than the LOX/kerosene mix other SpaceX engines have used. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Elon Musk Shows Off SpaceX Raptor Engine Tests," 4 Feb. 2019 The 10-by-24-foot wood structure has insulated panels, a kerosene stove, an outhouse and a big loft that can easily sleep between 10 and 12 people, Hinds said. — Devin Kelly, Anchorage Daily News, "A new hut with dramatic views rose up this summer in Alaska’s Hatcher Pass backcountry," 8 July 2018 Three women and a man were stabbed and shot, their bodies then soaked in kerosene and set on fire. — William Lee, chicagotribune.com, "Fierce gang leader went from death row to respected 'Mayor of Chicago Avenue'," 29 June 2018 His company’s jet packs are powered by kerosene, adding even more noise. — Joshua Brustein, latimes.com, "Boeing asked for quiet jet packs but got a bunch of air motorcycles," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kerosene.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

11 May 2019

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Time Traveler for kerosene

The first known use of kerosene was in 1854

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More Definitions for kerosene

kerosene

noun

English Language Learners Definition of kerosene

chiefly US : a type of oil that is burned as a fuel

See the full definition for kerosene in the English Language Learners Dictionary

kerosene

noun

ker·o·sene | \ ˈker-ə-ˌsēn

Kids Definition of kerosene

: a thin oil obtained from petroleum and used as a fuel and solvent

kerosene

noun

ker·o·sene

variants: also kerosine \ ˈker-ə-ˌsēn

, ˌker-ə-ˈ

, ˈkar- , ˌkar- \

Medical Definition of kerosene

: a flammable hydrocarbon oil usually obtained by distillation of petroleum and used for a fuel and as a solvent and thinner (as in insecticide emulsions)