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.
Made from petroleum and chemically known as erythrosine, red dye No. 3 is a synthetic color additive used to give foods and beverages a cherry-red color. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025 The move comes on top of prior decisions to block drilling on 13 million acres within the petroleum reserve and reverse a Trump-era decision to open up 80 percent of it for oil and gas production. Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2025 This artificial dye, which is made from petroleum and had been found to cause cancer in rats, was removed in response to a 2022 petition from the Center for Science in the Public Interest and other advocacy groups. Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 16 Jan. 2025 It’s made from petroleum and was approved for foods in 1907. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 15 Jan. 2025 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 20 Jan. 2025.

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

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