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.
The oil would travel over the pipeline system to refineries in Kern County. Molly McCrea, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026 The gold and foreign currency stolen in the heist were ordered from a refinery in Zurich. Josh Margolin, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2026 California Republicans and some drivers have warned that fewer refineries could push gas prices higher — a political vulnerability for Newsom, who has softened his criticism of fossil fuel companies and reached out to executives. Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026 Operating income has trended upward through 2025 with refinery utilization hitting 97% and utilization records in the Gulf Coast and North Atlantic regions. Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 8 Jan. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Refinery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refinery. Accessed 18 Jan. 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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