natural gas

American  

noun

1. a combustible mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons that accumulates in porous sedimentary rocks, especially those yielding petroleum, consisting usually of over 80 percent methane together with minor amounts of ethane, propane, butane, nitrogen, and, sometimes, helium: used as a fuel and to make carbon black, acetylene, and synthesis gas.

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natural gas British  

noun

1. a gaseous mixture consisting mainly of methane trapped below ground; used extensively as a fuel

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natural gas Scientific  

/ năch′ər-əl /

1. A mixture of hydrocarbon gases that occurs naturally beneath the Earth's surface, often with or near petroleum deposits. Natural gas contains mostly of methane but also has varying amounts of ethane, propane, butane, and nitrogen. It is used as a fuel and in making organic compounds.

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Etymology

Origin of natural gas

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

U.S. natural gas futures moved back under the $3 level as a cooler weather outlook reduces expected power-sector demand, offsetting a pickup in LNG feedgas flows.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

For its part, Iran has continued to control the Strait of Hormuz, effectively closing the vital waterway through which around 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas travels.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

U.S. natural gas futures settled lower, snapping a five-session winning streak as the heat wave across the eastern U.S. is set to fade ahead of the long Memorial Day weekend.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Fertilizer production depends heavily on liquefied natural gas from the Persian Gulf.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

There’s the natural gas in the fertilizer and the fossil fuel energy it takes to make the pesticides, the diesel used by the tractors, and the fuel needed to harvest, dry, and transport the corn.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

Related Words

• crude oil
• fossil fuel
• fuel
• gas
• gasoline
• kerosene
• petrol