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.
These dollars are not going to build railroads, ports, schools or refineries or even provide school lunches. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025 The pipeline will deliver up to 200,000 barrels of gas a day to Arizona, more than existing infrastructure in a state with no refineries. Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025 The Pentagon is also committing to a gallium refinery in Western Australia with a 100 metric ton per year capacity. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025 Located about 17 miles from downtown Chicago, the Whiting refinery is BP's largest in the world, according to its website. Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025 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 29 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on refinery

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