petrochemical

American  

[pe-troh-kem-i-kuhl] / ˌpɛ troʊˈkɛm ɪ kəl /

noun

1. a chemical substance obtained from petroleum or natural gas, as gasoline, kerosene, or petrolatum.

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adjective

1. of or relating to petrochemistry or a petrochemical.

petrochemical British  

/ ˌpɛtrəʊˈkɛmɪkəl /

noun

1. any substance, such as acetone or ethanol, obtained from petroleum or natural gas

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adjective

1. of, concerned with, or obtained from petrochemicals or related to petrochemistry

petrochemical Scientific  

/ pĕt′rō-kĕm′ĭ-kəl /

1. Any of a large number of chemicals made from petroleum or natural gas. Important petrochemicals include benzene, ammonia, acetylene, and polystyrene. Petrochemicals are used to produce a wide variety of materials, such as plastics, explosives, fertilizers, and synthetic fibers.

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petrochemical Cultural  

1. Any material made from substances found in oil or natural gas. Most plastics are petrochemicals.

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Other Word Forms

• petrochemically adverb

Etymology

Origin of petrochemical

First recorded in 1910–15; petro- ² + chemical

Example Sentences

Energy Insider’s view is that the situation is likely to remain bullish for U.S. energy producers, refiners, and petrochemical companies.

From Barron's

Much of China’s transport has become electrified and the oil and gas that it does use is mainly for industrial uses, such as petrochemicals.

From Barron's

Derivative petrochemical products vital for livelihoods, and industrial supply chains that are also dependent on free passage in the Gulf, from jet fuel, to urea, are also spiking in price.

From BBC

Disruptions to global energy and petrochemical supply have raised feedstock prices, pressuring naphtha-based producers that rely on imports, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal

A global shortage of heavy oil has squeezed Gulf Coast refinery margins for years, prompting them to use more of the costlier U.S.-produced oil to make transportation fuels and petrochemicals.

From The Wall Street Journal