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
Plastic is derived from petroleum and can warp, melt, release chemicals, or catch fire when exposed to heat.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
The components are chemically identical to those made from petroleum, a crucial detail for industries with rigorous safety standards.
—Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
In 2023, Terry transferred a small percentage of the Buffalo Bills to his daughter Laura, who was long involved in the family petroleum business, signaling her growing role in the organization.
—Nasha Smith, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
In a report on Thursday, Ukraine’s foreign intelligence service said that Russian companies were urgently purchasing petroleum from Belarus to address domestic shortages.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
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Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
The components are chemically identical to those made from petroleum, a crucial detail for industries with rigorous safety standards.
—Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
In 2023, Terry transferred a small percentage of the Buffalo Bills to his daughter Laura, who was long involved in the family petroleum business, signaling her growing role in the organization.
—Nasha Smith, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
In a report on Thursday, Ukraine’s foreign intelligence service said that Russian companies were urgently purchasing petroleum from Belarus to address domestic shortages.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 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 7 Sep. 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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