fossil fuel

American  

[fos-uhl fyoo-uhl] / ˈfɒs əl ˈfyu əl /

noun

Energy.

1. any combustible organic material, as oil, coal, or natural gas, derived from the remains of former life.

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fossil fuel British  

noun

1. any naturally occurring carbon or hydrocarbon fuel, such as coal, petroleum, peat, and natural gas, formed by the decomposition of prehistoric organisms

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fossil fuel Scientific  

1. A hydrocarbon fuel, such as petroleum, coal, or natural gas, derived from the accumulated remains of ancient plants and animals and used as fuel. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases generated by burning fossil fuels are considered to be one of the principal causes of global warming.

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Example Sentences

The new coal export terminal will be built in California with the capacity to handle 12 million tons of the fossil fuel, Trump said.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Again those fuels are likely to be a major cost for airlines, with estimates that the cost could be 10 times higher than traditional fossil fuel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Researchers estimate that carbon released through soil respiration is seven to eight times greater than annual fossil fuel emissions produced by humans.

From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026

Tuvalu has entrusted management of its single-largest financial asset to advisory firm Mercer, which has invested in funds holding stakes in major fossil fuel companies, according to financial records and government reports reviewed by AFP.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

That takes a lot of energy and a lot of fossil fuel.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan