refinery

American  

[ri-fahy-nuh-ree] / rɪˈfaɪ nə ri /

noun

plural

refineries

1. an establishment for refining something, as metal, sugar, or petroleum.

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refinery British  

/ rɪˈfaɪnərɪ /

noun

1. a factory for the purification of some crude material, such as ore, sugar, oil, etc

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refinery Scientific  

/ rĭ-fī′nə-rē /

1. An industrial plant that uses mechanical and chemical means to purify a substance, such as petroleum or sugar, or to convert it to a form that is more useful.

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Etymology

Origin of refinery

First recorded in 1720–30; refine + -ery

Example Sentences

The law, which drew ire from environmentalists, is intended to prevent a spike in gas prices amid refinery closures.

From Los Angeles Times

U.S. crude oil inventories fell last week as imports dropped and refineries ran at a slightly faster pace, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. crude oil inventories rose in the week ended Dec. 19 amid a drop in exports and lower refinery runs, according to data released Monday by the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the bloc’s ability to enforce the ban will be hampered by the network of storage terminals, middlemen and refineries that obscure the origin of fuel flowing into the continent.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Novoshakhtinsk refinery near the Ukrainian border is critical for supplying fuel for Russian military operations in occupied eastern Ukraine.

From BBC

Related Words

• refiner