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 parched southern Texas, a yearslong drought has depleted Corpus Christi’s water reserves so gravely that the city is scrambling to prevent a shortage that could force painful cutbacks for residents and hobble the refineries and petrochemical plants in a major energy port. —Michael Phillis, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026

Threat not just to residential use but also to refineries, petrochemical plants. —ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026

Missile strikes from Iran on Tuesday had reportedly sparked a fire at Saudi Arabia's Jubail complex, the country's largest industrial hub and home to major refining, petrochemical and carbon capture facilities. —Dylan Butts, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026

The changes at Alat predate the war, during which Iranian attacks have damaged facilities around the Gulf, including petrochemical plants, metals facilities, and data centers. —Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026

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