Petroleum: meaning, definitions and examples
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petroleum
[ pəˈtrəʊliəm ]
natural resource
Petroleum is a naturally occurring, yellow-to-black liquid found in geological formations beneath the Earth's surface. It is commonly refined into various types of fuels.
Synonyms
black gold, crude oil
Examples of usage
- The country's economy heavily relies on petroleum exports.
- Many products we use daily are derived from petroleum.
chemistry
Petroleum is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, with molecular weights ranging from 100 to 1000.
Synonyms
fossil fuel, oil
Examples of usage
- The composition of petroleum varies depending on its source and refining process.
- Chemists study the properties of different fractions of petroleum.
industry
Petroleum plays a crucial role in the global energy sector, serving as a primary source of fuel for transportation and electricity generation.
Synonyms
energy sector, oil industry
Examples of usage
- The petroleum industry employs millions of people worldwide.
- Investments in renewable energy are gradually reducing our dependence on petroleum.
Translations
Translations of the word "petroleum" in other languages:
🇵🇹 petróleo
🇮🇳 पेट्रोलियम
🇩🇪 Erdöl
🇮🇩 minyak bumi
🇺🇦 нафта
🇵🇱 ropa naftowa
🇯🇵 石油 (sekiyu)
🇫🇷 pétrole
🇪🇸 petróleo
🇹🇷 petrol
🇰🇷 석유 (seog-yu)
🇸🇦 نفط (naft)
🇨🇿 ropa
🇸🇰 ropa
🇨🇳 石油 (shíyóu)
🇸🇮 nafta
🇮🇸 jarðolía
🇰🇿 мұнай
🇬🇪 ნავთობი (navtobi)
🇦🇿 neft
🇲🇽 petróleo
Word origin
The word 'petroleum' comes from the Latin words 'petra', meaning 'rock', and 'oleum', meaning 'oil'. Its usage dates back to ancient times when natural oil seeps were used for medicinal and lighting purposes. The modern petroleum industry began in the 19th century with the discovery of oil fields and the development of refining processes.