oil well

noun

: a well from which petroleum is obtained

Examples of oil well in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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However, last year Newsom changed his stance and signed a bill that will allow up to 2,000 new oil wells per year through 2036 in Kern County despite legal challenges by environmental groups. Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026 One oil well in National City is near four schools and five healthcare facilities, for example. Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026 Many new technologies have resulted in overbuilding, like building too many railroads and building too many oil wells, but that also doesn’t guarantee a bubble. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026 That area contains 15 active oil wells — the only ones in Santa Clara County. Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oil well

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oil well was in 1847

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Cite this Entry

“Oil well.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oil%20well. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

oil well

noun
: a well from which petroleum is obtained

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