Petroleum

Pronunciation

Alternative forms

• petrolæum archaic

Origin

From Medieval Latin petroleum, from petra ("rock") + oleum ("oil").

Full definition of petroleum

Noun

1. A flammable liquid ranging in color from clear to very dark brown and black, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, occurring naturally in deposits under the Earth's surface.

Synonyms

• oil
• gas
• gasoline
• petroil
• petrol

Derived terms

• packaged petroleum product
• petroleum coke
• petroleum ether
• petroleum jelly
• petroleum spirit

Related terms

• linoleum