crude oil

American  

noun

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

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crude oil British  

noun

1. petroleum before it has been refined

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crude oil Scientific  

/ kro̅o̅d /

1. Unrefined petroleum.

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Etymology

Origin of crude oil

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Brent crude oil has soared after a clear break above $66.80/bbl, the markets strategist notes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Japan, in turn, can get inflationary relief from a stronger yen because it relies heavily on imports, including crude oil and natural gas.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. crude oil inventories fell last week as imports declined and exports rose, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The top three flags used by Russian shadow-fleet vessels transporting crude oil are false/unknown flag, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon," it said.

From Barron's

But it’s taken years to study him and clean off his sticky goo, a naturally occurring asphalt mixture of sand, gravel, clay and crude oil.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• crude
• oil
• petrol
• petroleum