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 as the demand for oil and gas for fuel is decreasing, the petrochemical industry is pivoting from energy to chemical production. —Arlene Blum, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025

The petrochemical facilities that produce plastics and their component materials can also present pollution threats to neighboring communities and emit large amounts of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

Meanwhile, petroleum & petrochemicals, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and banks were among the worst-performing subsectors. —Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Trinidad needs the fuel to boost its liquefied natural gas (LNG) and petrochemical industries and Venezuela hopes to have access to cash. —Panorama Media Ltd., Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 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