naphtha

noun

naph·​tha ˈnaf-thə 

nonstandard

ˈnap- 

1

: any of various volatile often flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures used chiefly as solvents and diluents

2

: petroleum

Examples of naphtha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As part of efforts to strengthen supply chains, Lee said that South Korea plans to increase import of naphtha, a crude-oil derivative, from India to cushion potential disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East. —ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026

In steam crackers, hydrocarbons such as ethane or naphtha are heated to extreme temperatures, causing large molecules to break apart. —Marilen Martin, Bloomberg, 15 Apr. 2026

Asia depends on shipments through the Strait of Hormuz for more than 80% of its oil and natural gas, to say nothing of less prominent commodities such as the helium necessary for chipmaking, the naphtha needed for manufacturing cars, and fertilizers needed for farming. —Clay Chandler, semafor.com, 7 Apr. 2026

South Korea has taken advantage of a suspension of US sanctions on certain Russian oil and petroleum products to buy its first load of naphtha from Moscow since the start of the Ukraine war. —Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek, of Iranian origin; akin to Persian neft naphtha

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

naphtha

noun

naph·​tha ˈnaf-thə  ˈnap- 

: any of various often flammable liquids prepared from coal or petroleum and used especially to dissolve substances

Medical Definition

naphtha

noun

naph·​tha ˈnaf-thə  ˈnap- 

: any of various volatile often flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures used chiefly as solvents and diluents