Petroleum is oil which is found under the surface of the Earth or under the sea bed. Petrol and paraffin are obtained from petroleum.
petroleum in British English
(pəˈtrəʊlɪəm)
noun
a dark-coloured thick flammable crude oil occurring in sedimentary rocks around the Persian Gulf, in parts of North and South America, and below the North Sea, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons. Fractional distillation separates the crude oil into petrol, paraffin, diesel oil, lubricating oil, etc. Fuel oil, paraffin wax, asphalt, and carbon black are extracted from the residue
Word origin
C16: from Medieval Latin, from Latin petra stone + oleum oil
petroleum in American English
(pəˈtroʊliəm)
noun
an oily, flammable, liquid solution of hydrocarbons, yellowish-green to black in color, occurring naturally in the rock strata of certain geological formations: when fractionally distilled, it yields paraffin, fuel oil, kerosene, gasoline, etc.
Word origin
ML < L petra, rock (< Gr) + oleum, oil
Examples of 'petroleum' in a sentence
petroleum
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We are particularly good at producing petroleum and mining engineers and these executives are highly sought after.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It is almost as thick as petroleum jelly but soaks into skin well.
The Sun (2013)
Increased demand for liquid petroleum gas has led to a shortage of trained captains.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
THERE was a time not long ago when liquid petroleum gas was hailed as an answer to rising fuel prices.
The Sun (2008)
Try to seal all the edges with petroleum jelly, but leave as little residue as possible so the mould is not deformed.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
A tanker carrying liquid petroleum gas was reported to have reached the port of Benghazi yesterday.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
I have considered oil and liquefied petroleum gas but would rather install a more ecofriendly and cost-effective system.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
About 5,000 vehicles have been granted exemption, including cars fuelled by liquid petroleum gas or electricity.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Oil and gas companies are struggling to recruit skilled engineers, especially drilling and petroleum engineers, for their offshore plants.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
petroleum
British English: petroleum NOUN
Petroleum is oil which is found under the surface of the Earth or under the sea bed. Petrol and paraffin are obtained from petroleum.
American English: petroleum
Brazilian Portuguese: petróleo
Chinese: 石油
European Spanish: petróleo
French: pétrole
German: Petroleum
Italian: petrolio
Japanese: 石油
Korean: 석유
European Portuguese: petróleo
Latin American Spanish: petróleo
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All related terms of 'petroleum'
petroleum ether
a volatile mixture of the higher alkane hydrocarbons , obtained as a fraction of petroleum and used as a solvent
petroleum jelly
Petroleum jelly is a soft , clear substance obtained from oil or petroleum. It is put on the skin to protect or soften it, or put on surfaces to make them move against each other easily .
petroleum engineer
A petroleum engineer is an engineer who is involved in most stages of oil and gas field evaluation, development, and production , whose job is to maximize hydrocarbon recovery and reduce costs and environmental impact .
liquefied petroleum gas
a mixture of various petroleum gases, esp propane and butane , stored as a liquid under pressure and used as an engine fuel
Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries
an organization of countries whose exports include oil , formed in 1960 to stabilize and control the oil market . It currently has about a dozen members.
LPG
LPG is a type of fuel consisting of hydrocarbon gases in liquid form. LPG is an abbreviation for 'liquefied petroleum gas'.
API
application programming interface
petrolatum
a translucent gelatinous substance obtained from petroleum ; used as a lubricant and in medicine as an ointment base and protective dressing