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
Examples of petroleum in a Sentence
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Last year, 20 million bpd moved through this straight on average, which amounted to approximately 20% of petroleum liquids consumed by the global market, according to an analysis conducted by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
—
Charles Lloyd Bovaird Ii, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
In 2023, oil flows through the waterway averaged 20.9 million barrels per day, accounting for about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 23 June 2025
The equivalent of 21% of global petroleum liquids consumption, or about 21 million barrels per day, flows through the narrow waterway.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 22 June 2025
Particularly in Vietnam, the Mekong is filled with barges hauling petroleum, cement, steel, and coal.
—David Swanson, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
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Charles Lloyd Bovaird Ii, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
In 2023, oil flows through the waterway averaged 20.9 million barrels per day, accounting for about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 23 June 2025
The equivalent of 21% of global petroleum liquids consumption, or about 21 million barrels per day, flows through the narrow waterway.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 22 June 2025
Particularly in Vietnam, the Mekong is filled with barges hauling petroleum, cement, steel, and coal.
—David Swanson, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for petroleum
Cite this Entry
“Petroleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroleum. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
petroleum
noun
pe·tro·leum
pə-ˈtrō-lē-əm
-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
: 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
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