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

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

Within the carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) field, the material is particularly promising for adoption by major industries like power generation, cement and steel manufacturing, and petrochemicals. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025

The area has some two hundred petrochemical facilities. —Jeanie Riess, New Yorker, 23 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