refinery
rih-FEYE-nuh-rih
Refinery (noun) means a facility where raw materials such as oil, sugar, or metal ore are processed and purified. Example: “The oil refinery employs thousands of workers.”
noun
1
A facility where raw materials such as oil, sugar, or metal ore are processed and purified.
"The oil refinery employs thousands of workers."
"Sugar refineries process raw cane into the white sugar we buy."
How to use refinery
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA plant or factory where a raw material is purified into a usable product.
Common pairings
oil refinery
sugar refinery
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Word forms
- Plural
- refineries
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The oil _____ employs thousands of workers.
Etymology
From refine plus the place-noun suffix -ry.
Rhymes for refinery
See all rhymes for refinery →Frequently asked questions
What does “refinery” mean?
The word “refinery” means a facility where raw materials such as oil, sugar, or metal ore are processed and purified. In plain terms, a plant or factory where a raw material is purified into a usable product.
How do you pronounce “refinery”?
“Refinery” is pronounced rih-FEYE-nuh-rih (/rɪˈfaɪnərɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “refinery” in a sentence?
Here is “refinery” used in a sentence: “The oil refinery employs thousands of workers.”
What part of speech is “refinery”?
“Refinery” is a noun.
Is “refinery” a common word?
“Refinery” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
