kerosene

noun

ker·​o·​sene ˈker-ə-ˌsēn  ˌker-ə-ˈsēn 

variants or less commonly kerosine

: 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

The Tianque-12A employs liquid methane and liquid oxygen (LOX) propellants — a key difference with the Falcon 9, whose Merlin engines burn LOX and rocket-grade kerosene. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2025

What's more, while virtually all VTOLs being developed these days are electric, the Janus-1 is powered by a turboshaft engine that gulps n' burns diesel, kerosene or Jet A fuel. —Ben Coxworth october 21, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2025

Never use gasoline, kerosene, or any other flammable liquid when starting a fire. —Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 19 Oct. 2025

Kanchha’s primary responsibility was to carry kerosene and stoves for cooking. —Bhadra Sharma, Outside, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek kēros + English -ene (as in camphene)

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kerosene

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Kids Definition

kerosene

noun

ker·​o·​sene

variants also kerosine

ˈker-ə-ˌsēn 

ker-ə-ˈsēn,

ˈkar-,

ˌkar-

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

Medical Definition

kerosene

noun

ker·​o·​sene

variants also kerosine

ˈker-ə-ˌsēn  ˌker-ə-ˈ 

ˈkar-,

ˌkar-

: 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)