noun
Common
petroleum
puh-TROH-lee-uhm
Petroleum (noun) means a naturally occurring liquid found underground, made mostly of hydrocarbons, that is refined into fuels like petrol and diesel. Example: “Petroleum is stored in huge tanks near the port before it is shipped abroad.”
noun
1
A naturally occurring liquid found underground, made mostly of hydrocarbons, that is refined into fuels like petrol and diesel.
"Petroleum is stored in huge tanks near the port before it is shipped abroad."
"The country's economy depends heavily on petroleum exports."
"Crude petroleum is pumped from deep wells before being refined."
How to use petroleum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCrude oil — the raw natural substance that gets refined into petrol, diesel, and other products.
Common mistake
Petroleum is the raw crude oil; petrol is one of the refined products made from it.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
crude petroleum
petroleum industry
petroleum jelly
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Word forms
- Plural
- petroleums, petrolea
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ is stored in huge tanks near the port before it is shipped abroad.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin petroleum, from Greek petra ("rock") plus elaion ("oil") — "rock oil."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for petroleum
See all rhymes for petroleum →Frequently asked questions
What does “petroleum” mean?
The word “petroleum” means a naturally occurring liquid found underground, made mostly of hydrocarbons, that is refined into fuels like petrol and diesel. In plain terms, crude oil — the raw natural substance that gets refined into petrol, diesel, and other products.
How do you pronounce “petroleum”?
“Petroleum” is pronounced puh-TROH-lee-uhm (/pəˈtɹoʊliəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “petroleum” in a sentence?
Here is “petroleum” used in a sentence: “The country's economy depends heavily on petroleum exports.”
What part of speech is “petroleum”?
“Petroleum” is a noun.
Where does the word “petroleum” come from?
The word “petroleum” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin petroleum, from Greek petra ("rock") plus elaion ("oil") — "rock oil.".
Is “petroleum” a common word?
“Petroleum” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between petroleum and crude oil?
The terms overlap heavily: crude oil is petroleum in its raw, unrefined state as it comes out of the ground. 'Petroleum' can refer to that raw material as well as to the broader family of hydrocarbons refined from it.
What is the difference between petroleum and petrol?
Petroleum is the raw underground liquid made mostly of hydrocarbons, while petrol is one of the fuels refined from it. In American English petrol is called 'gasoline,' but both are products made from petroleum.
What products are made from petroleum?
Petroleum is refined into fuels such as petrol (gasoline) and diesel, which is its core dictionary sense. It also serves as the raw material for products like plastics, lubricants, and asphalt.
Is petroleum a fossil fuel?
Yes, petroleum is classed as a fossil fuel: a naturally occurring liquid found underground and made mostly of hydrocarbons. Along with coal and natural gas, it is one of the main fossil fuels used for energy.
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