petroleum

noun

pe·​tro·​leum pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm How to pronounce petroleum (audio)
-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
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.
The 6-1 decision further clouds the future of the 73-year-old pipeline owned by Canadian energy transportation company Enbridge that carries petroleum from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario. — Jeffrey Collins, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 Ensure the product is free from harsh ingredients, such as ammonia, petroleum, phosphates, phthalates, and parabens, and meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice Standard. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026 Almost every prediction about the price and supply of oil and petroleum products proffered since the start of the Iran War has been wrong. — George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 At the same time, the war has reduced the world’s strategic petroleum reserves. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for petroleum

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "mineral oil," borrowed from Medieval Latin, "mineral oil, crude oil," from Latin petra "rock" (borrowed from Greek pétra) + oleum "oil" — more at petro-, oil entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petroleum was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing petroleum

Rhymes for petroleum

See All Rhymes for petroleum

Browse Nearby Words

petroleous
petroleum
petroleum asphalt
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Petroleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroleum. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

petroleum

noun
pe·​tro·​leum pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm How to pronounce petroleum (audio)
-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 How to pronounce petroleum (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on petroleum

Nglish: Translation of petroleum for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about petroleum

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