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
The project has drawn on expertise from domestic aviation, machinery, petroleum, and other industries.
—
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
But there have still been high-profile rail bridge collapses like the one in Montana two years ago that sent a train hauling petroleum products into the Yellowstone River, sending tar balls downstream that had to be cleaned up.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
But such claims are misleading, according to experts such as David DiCarlo, an associate professor in the University of Texas at Austin’s petroleum engineering school.
—ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
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Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
But there have still been high-profile rail bridge collapses like the one in Montana two years ago that sent a train hauling petroleum products into the Yellowstone River, sending tar balls downstream that had to be cleaned up.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
But such claims are misleading, according to experts such as David DiCarlo, an associate professor in the University of Texas at Austin’s petroleum engineering school.
—ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
Cite this Entry
“Petroleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroleum. Accessed 15 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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