petrochemical

noun

pet·​ro·​chem·​i·​cal ˌpe-trō-ˈke-mi-kəl How to pronounce petrochemical (audio)
: a chemical isolated or derived from petroleum or natural gas
petrochemistry
ˌpe-trō-ˈke-mə-strē How to pronounce petrochemical (audio)
noun

Examples of petrochemical 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.
Industrial chemistry achieves speed, scale, and cost savings due to catalysts, enabling the production of everything from petrochemicals to drugs. — Chris Lee, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026 Israel then hit a petrochemical plant in southwest Iran, prompting another wave of Iranian missile launches. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 14 June 2026 The semiofficial Fars and Mehr news agencies said Israeli strikes hit a petrochemical factory in the city of Mahshahr in Khuzestan province. — Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026 Other industries, including those involved in producing food and medicine, relied on petrochemicals to produce crucial components, such as plastic pipes, an engineering expert told me. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for petrochemical

Word History

Etymology

petro- + chemical entry 2

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petrochemical was in 1942

Rhymes for petrochemical

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Browse Nearby Words

Petrochelidon
petrochemical
petrochemistry
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Cite this Entry

“Petrochemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petrochemical. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

petrochemical

noun
pet·​ro·​chem·​i·​cal ˌpe-trō-ˈkem-i-kəl How to pronounce petrochemical (audio)
: a chemical obtained from petroleum or natural gas

More from Merriam-Webster on petrochemical

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about petrochemical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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