petroleum
noun
pe·tro·leum
pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm 
-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
Ezzatollah Zarghami, a former Iranian minister and ex–state broadcaster chief, issued a warning, threatening violence in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around one-fifth of the world’s oil and petroleum product consumption passes.
—
Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Such a partnership would be designed to undermine China’s stranglehold on the mining of key elements that make everything from smartphones to electric cars and fighter jets tick, the foundations of very real economic value that could rival the strategic importance of petroleum.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Not only for the petroleum sector, but all areas of cooperation will not be affected.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Environmental cleanup crews have been working at the site, but a visible sheen of petroleum contamination can still be seen on the Flint River.
—Nick Caloway, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
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Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Such a partnership would be designed to undermine China’s stranglehold on the mining of key elements that make everything from smartphones to electric cars and fighter jets tick, the foundations of very real economic value that could rival the strategic importance of petroleum.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Not only for the petroleum sector, but all areas of cooperation will not be affected.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Environmental cleanup crews have been working at the site, but a visible sheen of petroleum contamination can still be seen on the Flint River.
—Nick Caloway, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
Cite this Entry
“Petroleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroleum. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
petroleum
noun
pe·tro·leum
pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm
-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
pe·tro·leum
pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm, -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
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