biofuel

noun

bio·fu·el ˌbi-(ˌ)ō-ˈfyü(-ə)l

: a fuel (such as wood or ethanol) composed of or produced from biological raw materials compare fossil fuel

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Since the early 19th century, "fossil fuel" has been used to refer to fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas which are formed from the remains of plants and animals which have lain in the earth for millions of years. In the 1970s, a new word, "biofuel," began to be used to describe a different kind of fuel, one taken from more contemporary organic matter. These fuels include ethanol, which can be derived from such products as corn and sugarcane, and biodiesel, which can be formed from vegetable oils. These organic sources are reflected in the prefix, bio-, meaning "life" or "living organisms or tissue." The prefix bio- was borrowed from the Greek bios, meaning "mode of life."

Examples of biofuel in a Sentence

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In addition to its medicinal and beauty uses, hemp is also used for a variety of commercial and industry products, like rope, clothing, paper, bioplastics and even biofuel. —

Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024 My advice to these agribusiness, biofuels and cooperative professionals is to think about generative AI through a human-first lens. —

Marcus Squier, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Earlier this year, Sweden enacted a law that requires everyone—individuals and businesses alike—to separate food waste from regular trash, which is then converted into biofuel. —

Kassondra Cloos, Outside Online, 27 Sep. 2024 Molasses is used in various industries, from making sweets and rum to serving as a biofuel and fertilizer. —

Johna Burdeos, Health, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for biofuel