petrochemical

noun

pet·​ro·​chem·​i·​cal ˌpe-trō-ˈke-mi-kəl How to pronounce petrochemical (audio)
: a chemical isolated or derived from petroleum or natural gas
petrochemistry noun

Examples of petrochemical 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.
This increase was attributed to growth in the defense and chemical/petrochemical markets. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2025 Forgotten now is Carter’s admonition that natural gas should be considered a premium fuel because of its scarcity and conserved for ‘noble’ uses like petrochemicals. Michael Lynch, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 Firefighters are warning that the smoke pouring out of neighborhoods in Southern California is a poisonous soup, in part because of the ubiquity of plastics and other petrochemical products inside them. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025 Reliance Industries Elsewhere in India, Dorson is betting on Reliance Industries , a conglomerate spanning energy, petrochemicals, entertainment and telecommunications. Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for petrochemical 

Word History

Etymology

petro- + chemical entry 2

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petrochemical was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near petrochemical

Cite this Entry

“Petrochemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petrochemical. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

petrochemical

noun
pet·​ro·​chem·​i·​cal ˌpe-trō-ˈkem-i-kəl How to pronounce petrochemical (audio)
: a chemical obtained from petroleum or natural gas

More from Merriam-Webster on petrochemical

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