petrochemical

noun

pet·​ro·​chem·​i·​cal ˌpe-trō-ˈke-mi-kəl 

: a chemical isolated or derived from petroleum or natural gas

petrochemistry

ˌpe-trō-ˈke-mə-strē 

noun

Examples of petrochemical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In fact, anti-government protests have already spread to Iran’s oil sector with workers at a large refining and petrochemical complex going on strike. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026

While oil demand from the country’s transportation sector has already peaked, other sectors including petrochemicals and jet fuel are projected to keep rising. —Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026

Alcohol is formed naturally by the process of fermentation, a chemical reaction caused by the action of yeast on sugars; it can also be produced via petrochemical processes from oil (its main source for fuel). —Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026

Many faux-leather and polyurethane materials rely on petrochemical inputs sourced from Asia, which also fall under the new tariff schedules. —Luke Fountain, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

petro- + chemical entry 2

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for petrochemical

• academical
• agrochemical
• biochemical
• cytochemical
• geochemical
• histochemical
• microchemical
• neurochemical
• photochemical
• phytochemical
• spectrochemical
• thermochemical

Kids Definition

petrochemical

noun

pet·​ro·​chem·​i·​cal ˌpe-trō-ˈkem-i-kəl 

: a chemical obtained from petroleum or natural gas