oil slick

noun

: a film of oil floating on water

Examples of oil slick 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.
Coast Guard and Navy planes and helicopters searched into the night for four missing crewmen, but found only oil slicks. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026 Meanwhile, satellite images reviewed by The Associated Press show what appears to be an oil slick in the Persian Gulf emanating from the western side of Kharg Island, Iran's main crude export terminal. Arkansas Online, 9 May 2026 Satellite images reviewed by The Associated Press show what appears to be an oil slick in the Persian Gulf emanating from the western side of Kharg Island, Iran’s main crude export terminal. ABC News, 9 May 2026 Images show apparent oil slick off Iranian terminal Satellite images reviewed by the Associated Press show what appears to be an oil slick in the Persian Gulf emanating from the western side of Kharg Island, Iran’s main crude export terminal. Adam Schreck, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for oil slick

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oil slick was in 1887

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oil slick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oil%20slick. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

oil slick

noun
: a film of oil floating on water
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