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

Together, the Chi and Yan engines are intended to create a reusable LOX/kerosene family serving a wide range of vehicle sizes. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026

Why Methane Is Different Many rockets use kerosene, a fossil fuel directly affected by the fuel crisis. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

Coins meant for rice or kerosene slid across the counter and came back white rum hot as apology. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026

Shoppers came for staples like flour, sugar, and salt; tools and hardware; fabric and clothing; kerosene for lamps; and occasional small luxuries like candy, tobacco, or coffee—items otherwise difficult or impossible to obtain, Koehn says. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 18 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek kēros + English -ene (as in camphene)

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kerosene

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

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)