kerosene

noun

variants or less commonly kerosine
: a flammable hydrocarbon oil usually obtained by distillation of petroleum and used as a fuel, solvent, and thinner

Examples of kerosene 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.
On Upolu, the nation’s most populous island frequented by tourists for its white sand beaches, some have reverted to using kerosene lamps at night and are struggling to keep their food frozen – as rolling power outages leave them without electricity for hours each day. Todd Symons, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025 Accidental poisoning can occur when home appliances like furnaces, kerosene heaters, stoves, lanterns and generators produce fumes that people breathe in. Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2025 What causes carbon monoxide? Carbon monoxide is produced any time a fossil fuel is burned, meaning accidental poisoning can occur when home appliances and systems like furnaces, kerosene heaters, stoves, lanterns and generators produce fumes that people breathe in. Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2025 As the technology matures, carbon removals and synthetic fuels could become as mainstream as kerosene—without the environmental baggage. Phil De Luna, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kerosene

Word History

Etymology

Greek kēros + English -ene (as in camphene)

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kerosene was in 1854

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kerosene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kerosene. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

kerosene

noun
ker·​o·​sene
variants also kerosine
ˈker-ə-ˌsēn How to pronounce kerosene (audio)
ker-ə-ˈsēn,
ˈkar-,
ˌkar-
: a thin oil obtained from petroleum and used as a fuel and solvent

Medical Definition

kerosene

noun
ker·​o·​sene
variants also kerosine
: a flammable hydrocarbon oil usually obtained by distillation of petroleum and used for a fuel and as a solvent and thinner (as in insecticide emulsions)

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