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

Alberta, Canada, is now pursuing clean technology and petrochemicals to create balance in a historically oil-dependent economy. —Reid Rasner, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Aramco is also a major downstream investor in China, with the oil giant looking to secure long-term customers for its crude through deals in petrochemicals and refining. —Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Poverty rates are still far higher than the national average, job and wage growth have been slow, many residents still face disproportionate health burdens from petrochemical refinement, and wealth inequality along lines of race and income is still pronounced. —Manann Donoghoe, Time, 28 Aug. 2025

Plastics are fossil fuels in disguise — petrochemicals molded into bottles, bags, and straws. —Jim Martin, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 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