hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon ˈhī-drō-ˌkär-bən How to pronounce hydrocarbon (audio)
: an organic compound (such as acetylene or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens

Examples of hydrocarbon 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.
Environmental signals matter A key finding involved the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, or AhR, a signaling pathway responsive to dietary and environmental molecules. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025 Jonker further agreed with Enbridge that the state's shutdown order conflicted with the federal government's conduct of foreign affairs, impeding the flow of hydrocarbons between Canada and the United States, as agreed upon in a 1977 treaty. Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 17 Dec. 2025 But according to a report in France 24, citing anonymous sources familiar with the plans, two similar stores are soon set to open in the Kingdom, one in the port city of Jeddah and the other in Dhahran, located in a compound owned by the hydrocarbon giant Saudi Aramco. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025 Advertisement Climate decisions are hammered out not through electoral outcomes or parliamentary debates but in opaque bargains among party officials, security services, and hydrocarbon elites. William Burke-White, Time, 20 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hydrocarbon

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrocarbon was in 1826

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hydrocarbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrocarbon. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

hydrocarbon

noun
hy·​dro·​car·​bon ˌhī-drə-ˈkär-bən How to pronounce hydrocarbon (audio)
: a compound containing only carbon and hydrogen

Medical Definition

hydrocarbon

noun
hy·​dro·​car·​bon -ˈkär-bən How to pronounce hydrocarbon (audio)
: an organic compound (as acetylene, benzene, or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens

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