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 United States and other nations built strategic petroleum reserves.
—
David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Venezuela was the largest exporter of petroleum and oil to Cuba through 2021.
—Luisa Blanco, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026
In addition to hundreds of pleasure boats, barges and other craft ferry millions of gallons of petroleum and other chemicals up and down waterways.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Only 36 ships transited the waterway in the seven days leading up to to Friday, a third of them carrying crude oil or petroleum products, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
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David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Venezuela was the largest exporter of petroleum and oil to Cuba through 2021.
—Luisa Blanco, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026
In addition to hundreds of pleasure boats, barges and other craft ferry millions of gallons of petroleum and other chemicals up and down waterways.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Only 36 ships transited the waterway in the seven days leading up to to Friday, a third of them carrying crude oil or petroleum products, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 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 10 Jun. 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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