naphtha

noun

naph·​tha ˈnaf-thə 

nonstandard

ˈnap- 

1

: any of various volatile often flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures used chiefly as solvents and diluents

2

: petroleum

Examples of naphtha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, most of Asia’s naphtha – a chemical used in paints and cleaners comes – through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Independent Commodity Intelligence Services. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026

Much of Venezuela’s oil is ultra-heavy crude, requiring special treatment and naphtha blending to be transported. —Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 12 Jan. 2026

Global trading houses Vitol and Trafigura received this week the first U.S. licenses to negotiate and carry Venezuela’s exports, and naphtha supplies to the OPEC country also are expected, sources said. —Reuters, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026

Renewable naphtha is processed from crude tall oil, which is a by-product of the pulp industry. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek, of Iranian origin; akin to Persian neft naphtha

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

naphtha

noun

naph·​tha ˈnaf-thə  ˈnap- 

: any of various often flammable liquids prepared from coal or petroleum and used especially to dissolve substances

Medical Definition

naphtha

noun

naph·​tha ˈnaf-thə  ˈnap- 

: any of various volatile often flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures used chiefly as solvents and diluents