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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web With plans to become a wildcatter, Mr. Mays received a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from Texas A&M University in 1957. 
Emily Langer, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 Another turbulent week in oil markets carried petroleum prices to their lowest point since January. WSJ, 12 Sep. 2022 India depends on imports to meet 85% of its petroleum needs. Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 12 Sep. 2022 Burning coal to create electricity is more carbon intensive than other methods, including burning natural gas or petroleum. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2022 Due to the leaks, petroleum and other toxic chemicals entered the local water supply, which around 93,000 people use. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2022 Similar efforts have failed to gain traction in the state Legislature in the past, succumbing to tough lobbying opposition from the petroleum industry and trade unions. Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022 But that would require a complete shutdown of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, and every petroleum engineer knows the consequences for Mr. Putin would be dire. Paul Roderick Gregory, WSJ, 24 Aug. 2022 The biggest of all of these is the ExxonMobil property, which has been home to some form of petroleum storage and distribution since the 1920s. Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2022 See More
Emily Langer, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 Another turbulent week in oil markets carried petroleum prices to their lowest point since January. WSJ, 12 Sep. 2022 India depends on imports to meet 85% of its petroleum needs. Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 12 Sep. 2022 Burning coal to create electricity is more carbon intensive than other methods, including burning natural gas or petroleum. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2022 Due to the leaks, petroleum and other toxic chemicals entered the local water supply, which around 93,000 people use. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2022 Similar efforts have failed to gain traction in the state Legislature in the past, succumbing to tough lobbying opposition from the petroleum industry and trade unions. Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022 But that would require a complete shutdown of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, and every petroleum engineer knows the consequences for Mr. Putin would be dire. Paul Roderick Gregory, WSJ, 24 Aug. 2022 The biggest of all of these is the ExxonMobil property, which has been home to some form of petroleum storage and distribution since the 1920s. Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing petroleum
Kids Definition
petroleum
noun
pe·tro·leum pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm
-ˈtrōl-yəm
: a raw oil that is obtained from wells drilled in the ground and that is the source of gasoline, kerosene, and other oils used for fuel
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