hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon ˈhī-drō-ˌkär-bən How to pronounce hydrocarbon (audio)
: an organic compound (such as acetylene or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens

Examples of hydrocarbon 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 elements are combined to make hydrocarbon chains, building blocks of different fuels, including SAF. Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025 Hydrogen today is produced using thermal processes of steam and hydrocarbon, the byproduct of which contributes to 2.4% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the researchers said in a University of Oxford press release. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 May 2025 The idea came from observing hydrocarbon reservoirs in northern Italy’s Po Valley over two decades — essentially storage wells where gas coming from external pipelines is pumped and stored in summer to create reserves for Italy in winter. Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 May 2025 Vasily Astrov, from The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, told Newsweek that the discussions showed Moscow's intentions to work with the U.S. in economic and strategic endeavors, such as hydrocarbon exploration in the Arctic. Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hydrocarbon

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrocarbon was in 1826

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Cite this Entry

“Hydrocarbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrocarbon. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

hydrocarbon

noun
hy·​dro·​car·​bon ˌhī-drə-ˈkär-bən How to pronounce hydrocarbon (audio)
: a compound containing only carbon and hydrogen

Medical Definition

hydrocarbon

noun
hy·​dro·​car·​bon -ˈkär-bən How to pronounce hydrocarbon (audio)
: an organic compound (as acetylene, benzene, or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens

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