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

Ukraine hit two refineries as part of its sustained campaign to damage Russia's economy, Zelenskyy said. — Hanna Arhirova, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026

The design could eventually help groups of inexpensive robots inspect oil refineries, monitor farms or explore other planets. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later said that Kyiv had damaged the region's Ilsky oil refinery. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Lines at Russian gas stations, crippled refineries, and images of burning oil depots blackening the sky lent credence to the narrative, as did blackouts and fuel shortages in Crimea. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 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