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

Tuvalu's prime minister voiced disappointment Friday over the island nation's fossil fuel holdings, after AFP revealed a trust fund for the climate change-threatened state had invested in oil and coal.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 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

Low-lying Pacific island nation Tuvalu said it was reviewing the "fossil fuel exposure" of the $200 million fund after it was presented with AFP's findings.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

This creates a dilemma for countries rethinking their reliance on fossil fuel, following the second energy crisis in four years.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Back then, the Naylor farm produced more than two calories of food energy for every calorie of fossil fuel energy invested.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan