kerosene

noun

ker·​o·​sene ˈker-ə-ˌsēn  ˌker-ə-ˈsēn 

variants or less commonly kerosine

: a flammable hydrocarbon oil usually obtained by distillation of petroleum and used as a fuel, solvent, and thinner

Examples of kerosene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Traditional propellant combinations such as liquid oxygen–liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen–kerosene and various solid rocket motor propellants have been extensively refined. —Lee Billings, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2026

Today’s modern rockets no longer use gasoline, opting for other fuels such as liquid hydrogen, liquid methane and refined kerosene along with liquid oxygen, which acts as an oxidizer. —Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026

The government has even directed pollution control boards to allow the use of fuels such as kerosene, biomass, and coal by the hospitality sector, as the world’s most populous country prioritizes LPG supply to households. —Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026

The house’s marble fireplaces, ceiling medallions, pocket doors, moldings, door handles and staircase are all original, as well as the two ornate chandeliers in the parlors which were designed to be operated first with kerosene, then gas and finally electricity. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek kēros + English -ene (as in camphene)

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kerosene

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Kids Definition

kerosene

noun

ker·​o·​sene

variants also kerosine

ˈker-ə-ˌsēn 

ker-ə-ˈsēn, 

ˈkar-, 

ˌkar-

: a thin oil obtained from petroleum and used as a fuel and solvent

Medical Definition

kerosene

noun

ker·​o·​sene

variants also kerosine

ˈker-ə-ˌsēn  ˌker-ə-ˈ 

ˈkar-, 

ˌkar-

: a flammable hydrocarbon oil usually obtained by distillation of petroleum and used for a fuel and as a solvent and thinner (as in insecticide emulsions)