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

Specifically, the study found the PATM patients emitted more petrochemicals, organosulfur compounds, and some aldehydes (including 39 times the normal amount of toluene, a chemical found in crude oil), among other distinctions—findings published in the scholarly journal Scientific Reports in 2023. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026

Industries Qatar — which makes fertilizer, petrochemicals, and steel — and Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Company have reduced or halted the production of some products. —Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026

Founded in Brazil by Ailton Pereira, the process converts agro-industrial waste into textile colorants designed to reduce reliance on petrochemical dyes. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 5 Mar. 2026

Oil storage tanks at a petrochemical production base on the outskirts of Shanghai, China, on Saturday, June 28, 2025. —Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 2 Mar. 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