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

The leak occurred on 11th and H streets when contractors struck a two-inch natural gas line, resulting in a Level 2 hazmat incident, according to reporting by The Sacramento Bee. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026

Adding cooling towers to nuclear and large coal or natural gas facilities is one kind of retrofit. — Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Propane — a byproduct of natural gas production and oil refining — is a fuel used in heating, cooking, petrochemical production, and farming, among other things. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 17 July 2026

The Iran war has become a battle for the Strait of Hormuz, a global chokepoint for oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other commodities. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for natural gas

• bermudagrass
• ecclesiastes
• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass

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