petroleum

noun

pe·​tro·​leum pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm How to pronounce petroleum (audio)
-ˈtrōl-yəm
: an oily flammable bituminous liquid that may vary from almost colorless to black, occurs in many places in the upper strata of the earth, is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons with small amounts of other substances, and is prepared for use as gasoline, naphtha, or other products by various refining processes

Examples of petroleum 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.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said this is a sign that gas prices are normalizing after the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024 On average, Mexican crude exports to the U.S. reached 733 thousand barrels per day in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, while Mexico imported 1.2 million barrels per day of U.S. petroleum products and 6.8 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas. Aldo Flores-Quiroga, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, has forecast that U.S. gas prices could jump 30 to 40 cents a gallon, and potentially up to 70 cents, shortly after Trump's tariffs took effect. Ahmad Mukhtar, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2024 An oil spill in a Boston river on Sunday has threatened nearby wildlife as rescue efforts to save dozens of geese and ducks coated in hazardous petroleum continued on Monday. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for petroleum 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "mineral oil," borrowed from Medieval Latin, "mineral oil, crude oil," from Latin petra "rock" (borrowed from Greek pétra) + oleum "oil" — more at petro-, oil entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petroleum was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near petroleum

Cite this Entry

“Petroleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroleum. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

petroleum

noun
pe·​tro·​leum pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm How to pronounce petroleum (audio)
-ˈtrōl-yəm
: an oily flammable liquid that may vary from almost colorless to black, is obtained from wells drilled in the ground, and is the source of gasoline, kerosene, fuel oils, and other products

Medical Definition

petroleum

noun
: an oily flammable bituminous liquid that may vary from almost colorless to black, occurs in many places in the upper strata of the earth, is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons with small amounts of other substances, and is prepared for use as gasoline, naphtha, or other products by various refining processes

More from Merriam-Webster on petroleum

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