1
: not relating to, containing, or derived from oil
2
: being a net importer of petroleum or petroleum products
non-oil nations

Examples of non-oil in a Sentence

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.
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which recently announced that its non-oil exports climbed 25% last year to $71.3 billion. Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 6 May 2026 Its currency hit a record low against the dollar this week, and wartime damage to industries such as steel and plastics is pushing up consumer prices, forcing the government to curb some non-oil exports that typically provide an important source of revenue. Anthony Di Paola, Fortune, 2 May 2026 Dubai has built one of the world’s most sophisticated non-oil economies. Judah Taub, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026 That has crippled Iran’s two biggest non-oil exports, and higher prices have affected everything from plastics to pipes, to fabrics and packaging for groceries like milk, butter and cheese. Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026 That has crippled Iran’s two biggest non-oil exports, and higher prices have affected everything from plastics to pipes, to fabrics and packaging for groceries like milk, butter and cheese. ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026 And the goal of sound energy policy is, one, to get more non-oil-and-gas energy sources—so those are more predictable and reliable. David Frum, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2026 For one, there is no value to Iran in intercepting cargo containers, though non-oil ships may be harassed by Iranian speedboats. Kevin Williams, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026 Overall, the Fashion Commission’s efforts are part of the government’s larger plan, dubbed Vision 2030, which is meant to diversify the oil-dependent nation’s economy and nurture new industries and increase non-oil exports and the private sector’s contribution to GDP to 65 percent. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of non-oil was in 1970

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Cite this Entry

“Non-oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/non-oil. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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