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 latest move comes on top of a previous Trump administration move to restore oil and gas drilling on 13 million acres of the petroleum reserve that had been blocked by Biden.
—
Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 17 June 2025
And at the high end are industries that manufacture computers and electronics (a 42% premium), transportation equipment, so like cars, ships and planes (a 43% premium), chemicals (a 47% premium) and — the highest of all — petroleum and coal (a 62% premium).
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 17 June 2025
In 2023, oil flows through the waterway averaged 20.9 million barrels per day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, accounting for about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 June 2025
The harbor is fed by the Piscataqua River, with currents so strong that tugboats are used to guide vessels ranging from cargo ships hauling road salt and petroleum products to $3 billion nuclear submarines in for overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
—USA Today, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
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Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 17 June 2025
And at the high end are industries that manufacture computers and electronics (a 42% premium), transportation equipment, so like cars, ships and planes (a 43% premium), chemicals (a 47% premium) and — the highest of all — petroleum and coal (a 62% premium).
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 17 June 2025
In 2023, oil flows through the waterway averaged 20.9 million barrels per day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, accounting for about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 June 2025
The harbor is fed by the Piscataqua River, with currents so strong that tugboats are used to guide vessels ranging from cargo ships hauling road salt and petroleum products to $3 billion nuclear submarines in for overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
—USA Today, 11 June 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 26 Jun. 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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