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petroleum

petroleum

100 4.4
A thick dark liquid found under the ground that people use to make fuels like gasoline and diesel
  • noun
  • /pəˈtroʊliəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : petróleo
  • Petroleum is refined into different products, including gasoline and diesel, which are used for transportation.
  • petroleum products
  • petroleum prices
  • petroleum exports

Is, is, is reduced use of petroleum based fuels worth it, Sam?

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Examples

  • Today's international petroleum industry is radically different from what it was in the 1970s.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Scholarships: At ASME-IPTI's Petroleum Division, we believe that outstanding engineering begins with a solid educational foundation.

    Academic text (2011)
  • And for petroleum, we use almost all of it for transport.

  • Many of these companies had their start providing services for the petroleum industry.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The department of energy said the demand for petroleum products is going up far faster than usual for this time of the year.

  • While the controls on most goods were soon removed, those for petroleum products remained.

    Academic text (1999)
  • With the growing demand for fuel, petroleum production expands.

  • Cuba imports nearly all of its petroleum from the Soviet Union at below world market prices.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Despite continued slow improvement in vehicle efficiencies, consumption of petroleum products for transportation is expected to increase.

    Academic text (1991)
  • You know, gas prices will go up and then people will be saying, you know what, we should release the Strategic Petroleum Reserve that'll bring gas prices down.

Synonyms

crude
vspetroleum
  • Specialized
66 5.5

Oil taken from the ground before it is made into fuel

is broader covering both raw and processed hydrocarbon liquids
crude oil
vspetroleum
  • Specialized
47 3.4

A thick black oil from under the ground used to make fuel

is the general hydrocarbon liquid including refined fuel products
rock oil
vspetroleum
  • Archaic
9.5

A dark thick oil found underground used for fuel and making products

is the modern standard term for that natural hydrocarbon liquid
fossil oil
vspetroleum
  • Specialized
4.2

A dark natural oil from ancient plants and animals that people use for fuel and products

is the general natural hydrocarbon liquid without stressing biological origin

Compounds

A soft, greasy substance used to protect skin and as a lubricant

petroleum geologist
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A scientist who studies oil and gas under the ground

A large factory where crude oil is changed into fuels like gasoline and diesel

petroleum geology
  • Specialized
1 5.1

The study of where oil and natural gas are found and how they move underground

4.3

A fuel gas made from propane and butane kept under pressure

A group of countries that produce a lot of oil and agree on how much oil to make and sell

petroleum future
  • Specialized
8.1

A contract to buy or sell oil at a set price on a later date

How Biodegradable

bioplastic
  • Specialized
4.2
recyclable
7 3.5
petroleum
  • Specialized
100 4.4

Surface Forms

petroleum singular
petroleums plural

Etymology

The word petroleum comes from two old parts: petra meaning 'rock' and oleum meaning 'oil'. So, petroleum means 'rock oil', oil that comes from under the ground and is turned into fuels like petrol and diesel.