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

Mitsui O.S.K. operates hundreds of vessels globally, including one of the world’s largest fleets of liquefied natural gas carriers, and owns prime properties in cities such as London, Sydney, Osaka, and Tokyo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

The buy would also add Arc’s natural-gas reserves, which would support Shell’s liquefied natural gas production in Canada.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

New Jersey-based Bluepoint Wind has committed to investing up to $765 million into a U.S. based liquefied natural gas facility, the amount of its original bid under the Biden administration.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

The majority of the UK's CO2 is imported from Europe but it is often produced as a by-product when companies make fertiliser, which needs natural gas.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

Since 2011, the country has focused on using other fuels to generate electricity, including coal and natural gas.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Related Words

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