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

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 modestly higher following a slightly larger-than-expected inventory build.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Wasted natural gas is also damaging the climate.

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

I swear it smelled like natural gas and pu-erh tea when it ruptured, which was weird and gross.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram

Related Words

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