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
But the European Union is a big market for U.S. exports of oil, petroleum gas and cars.
—
Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
In its natural form, often called crude oil, petroleum is a dark viscous substance sometimes tinted yellow.
—Ian Rose, JSTOR Daily, 23 July 2025
Data from the Bank of Korea showed exports of both goods and services grew strongly in the second quarter, rising 4.2% quarter over quarter as shipments of semiconductors, petroleum products, and chemical products increased.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 July 2025
During the manufacturing process, the wax inside each pellet begins to melt after coming into contact with the hot, sticky petroleum substance called bitumen.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
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Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
In its natural form, often called crude oil, petroleum is a dark viscous substance sometimes tinted yellow.
—Ian Rose, JSTOR Daily, 23 July 2025
Data from the Bank of Korea showed exports of both goods and services grew strongly in the second quarter, rising 4.2% quarter over quarter as shipments of semiconductors, petroleum products, and chemical products increased.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 July 2025
During the manufacturing process, the wax inside each pellet begins to melt after coming into contact with the hot, sticky petroleum substance called bitumen.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
Cite this Entry
“Petroleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroleum. Accessed 9 Aug. 2025.
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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