refinery

noun

re·​fin·​ery ri-ˈfī-nə-rē How to pronounce refinery (audio)
-ˈfīn-rē
plural refineries
: a building and equipment for refining or processing something (such as oil or sugar)

Examples of refinery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Russian officials have dismissed concerns, even as the list of major oil refineries and pipelines hit by Ukrainian drones grows longer. David Brennan, ABC News, 4 June 2026 The plan tightens emission limits while creating new incentives and free permits aimed at preventing refineries and manufacturers from leaving the state. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 And much of the export revenue upside isn’t actually reaching the Kremlin’s coffers, because the limitations on fuel exports have forced the government to pay billions of dollars in compensation to refinery owners. Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 4 June 2026 The travails of baristas, ride-share drivers or suburban supermarket employees don’t gather my sympathies as much as, say, the lot of the workers at the BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana, or the Ford plant on Torrence Avenue in Chicago. John Vukmirovich, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for refinery

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1741, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of refinery was circa 1741

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Cite this Entry

“Refinery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refinery. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

refinery

noun
re·​fin·​ery ri-ˈfīn-(ə-)rē How to pronounce refinery (audio)
plural refineries
: a building and equipment for refining metals, oil, or sugar

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