kerosene

noun

variants or less commonly kerosine
: a flammable hydrocarbon oil usually obtained by distillation of petroleum and used as a fuel, solvent, and thinner

Examples of kerosene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The use of devices similar to tiki torches, candles, open flame kerosene lanterns are prohibited in the back country wilderness. Buffalo National River, arkansasonline.com, 29 Oct. 2024 Next to us, on a blanket, a group of Danish teenagers used a kerosene camp stove to prepare a roll of cinnamon buns. Jonah Walters, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2024 The sparsely furnished rooms are heated only by portable kerosene heaters, and there are no modern bathrooms or showers. Christine Balling, Foreign Affairs, 8 Feb. 2017 There were a ton of hair tonics that were made with a large percentage of alcohol, some would have kerosene in them. Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kerosene 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kerosene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Greek kēros + English -ene (as in camphene)

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kerosene was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near kerosene

Cite this Entry

“Kerosene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kerosene. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

kerosene

noun
ker·​o·​sene
variants also kerosine
ˈker-ə-ˌsēn How to pronounce kerosene (audio)
ker-ə-ˈsēn,
ˈkar-,
ˌkar-
: a thin oil obtained from petroleum and used as a fuel and solvent

Medical Definition

kerosene

noun
ker·​o·​sene
variants also kerosine
: a flammable hydrocarbon oil usually obtained by distillation of petroleum and used for a fuel and as a solvent and thinner (as in insecticide emulsions)

More from Merriam-Webster on kerosene

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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