refinery

noun

re·​fin·​ery ri-ˈfī-nə-rē 

-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

Zawiya is home to critical energy infrastructure, including Libya’s largest oil refinery, an export terminal and a power plant. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Guyana’s crude has also proven useful to refineries in Europe, its leading importer, in replacing Russian barrels. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Videos circulating on social media, and geolocated by CNN, show a huge blaze raging and plumes of smoke rising from an area just outside the city, close to what appear to be the characteristic towers of an oil refinery. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Russian media reported that the attacks hit a major oil refinery. — CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1741, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for refinery

• binary
• finery
• winery

Kids Definition

refinery

noun

re·​fin·​ery ri-ˈfīn-(ə-)rē 

plural refineries

: a building and equipment for refining metals, oil, or sugar