crude oil

noun

1. petroleum as it comes from the ground, before refining.

crude oil

noun

1. petroleum before it has been refined

crude oil

1. Unrefined petroleum.

Word History and Origins

Origin of crude oil¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

The bill circumvents a decade of legal challenges by environmental groups seeking to stymie drilling in the county that produces about three-fourths of the state’s crude oil.

From Los Angeles Times

The vast majority of Russia's oil exports are in the form of unrefined crude oil, which do not appear to have been impacted by the strikes.

From BBC

The bill effectively circumvents a decade of legal challenges by environmental groups seeking to stymie drilling in the county that produces about three-fourths of the state’s crude oil.

From Los Angeles Times

Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech dismissed the findings and attributed South Sudan's economic problems to conflict, climate change and falling sales of crude oil.

From BBC

That legislative fix, effective through 2036, would in effect circumvent a decade of legal challenges by environmental groups seeking to stymie drilling in the county that produces about three-fourths of the state’s crude oil.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crude 
• oil 
• petrol 
• petroleum