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
In the oil market, crude prices sank roughly 2% on expectations that more petroleum could be set to flow into global markets because of a possible deal between the United States and Iran over that country’s nuclear program.
—
Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
When the industry picked up in the 1960s, with rare earths being used as catalysts for refining petroleum and in TV sets, the US had a fortuitous head start.
—Mark Dent, HubSpot, 9 May 2025
More than 90% of paved roads in the U.S. are made of asphalt, which is constructed with nonrenewable materials such as petroleum.
—Baoshan Huang, The Conversation, 8 May 2025
Shale producers, and particularly their petroleum engineers, might not cooperate.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
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Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
When the industry picked up in the 1960s, with rare earths being used as catalysts for refining petroleum and in TV sets, the US had a fortuitous head start.
—Mark Dent, HubSpot, 9 May 2025
More than 90% of paved roads in the U.S. are made of asphalt, which is constructed with nonrenewable materials such as petroleum.
—Baoshan Huang, The Conversation, 8 May 2025
Shale producers, and particularly their petroleum engineers, might not cooperate.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
Cite this Entry
“Petroleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroleum. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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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