petrochemical

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

petrochemistry

2 of 2

noun (2)

pe·​tro·​chemistry "+ 

1

: the chemistry of rocks

2

: the chemistry of petroleum

especially : a branch of chemistry dealing with the production of petrochemicals

Examples of petrochemical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The bio-spandex replicates the elasticity and durability levels of conventional petrochemical products. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

Separately, an explosion was heard in Iran’s southern county of Asaluyeh, a key gas and petrochemical hub on the Persian Gulf coast, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency. — Zachary Cohen, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026

Located in Russia’s Amur region close to the Chinese border, some 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles) east of Moscow, the Amur Gas Chemical Complex is a joint venture between China’s state oil and gas firm Sinopec and Russian petrochemical company Sibur. — ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026

Nurdles are manufactured by petrochemical plants specifically for the purpose of making new products. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

petro- + chemical entry 2

Noun (2)

petr- + chemistry

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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