petroleum
noun
pe·tro·leum
pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm 
-ˈtrōl-yəm
: an oily flammable bituminous liquid that may vary from almost colorless to black, occurs in many places in the upper strata of the earth, is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons with small amounts of other substances, and is prepared for use as gasoline, naphtha, or other products by various refining processes
Examples of petroleum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Renewable fuels are produced from sustainable, renewable, non-fossilized organic materials instead of non-renewable petroleum.
—
New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2026
Neighboring Norway markets itself as a secure supplier of petroleum and natural gas to European nations previously dependent on Russia.
—Tom Yulsman, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
Sanders was born in Houston in 1935, the son of Minnesota natives with a geologist father working in the petroleum industry.
—Kevin Foster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
In 2024, an average of about 20 million barrels per day passed through the Strait of Hormuz, which amounts to roughly 20% of liquid petroleum consumed worldwide, according to the EIA.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
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New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2026
Neighboring Norway markets itself as a secure supplier of petroleum and natural gas to European nations previously dependent on Russia.
—Tom Yulsman, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
Sanders was born in Houston in 1935, the son of Minnesota natives with a geologist father working in the petroleum industry.
—Kevin Foster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
In 2024, an average of about 20 million barrels per day passed through the Strait of Hormuz, which amounts to roughly 20% of liquid petroleum consumed worldwide, according to the EIA.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
Cite this Entry
“Petroleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroleum. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
petroleum
noun
pe·tro·leum
pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm
-ˈtrōl-yəm
: an oily flammable liquid that may vary from almost colorless to black, is obtained from wells drilled in the ground, and is the source of gasoline, kerosene, fuel oils, and other products
Medical Definition
petroleum
noun
pe·tro·leum
pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm, -ˈtrōl-yəm
: an oily flammable bituminous liquid that may vary from almost colorless to black, occurs in many places in the upper strata of the earth, is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons with small amounts of other substances, and is prepared for use as gasoline, naphtha, or other products by various refining processes
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