natural gas

noun

1
: gas issuing from the earth's crust through natural openings or bored wells
especially : a combustible mixture of methane and other hydrocarbons used chiefly as a fuel and raw material
2
: gas manufactured from organic matter (such as coal)

Examples of natural gas in a Sentence

a house heated by natural gas
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The use of natural gas for applications other than generating electricity has also risen considerably in recent years. John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2025 The United States is blessed with an abundance of energy resources—natural gas, coal, oil, solar, wind, water, biomass, and geothermal—and our relatively low energy costs are one of our greatest competitive advantages. Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 China is the largest importer of Australia's mining products, such as iron ore and natural gas. Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 12 May 2025 The Missouri Attorney General on Monday filed suit against Liberty Utilities for last month’s natural gas explosion in Lexington, Missouri, that killed a 5-year-old boy, sent his sister and father to the hospital with serious burns, destroyed three homes and damaged multiple others. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for natural gas

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of natural gas was in 1825

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Cite this Entry

“Natural gas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natural%20gas. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

natural gas

noun
: gas that comes from the earth's crust through natural openings or bored wells
especially : a flammable mixture of hydrocarbons and especially methane used chiefly as a fuel and raw material

More from Merriam-Webster on natural gas

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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