fossil fuels

Cultural  

1. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

---

Discover More

All fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide when burned. (See greenhouse effect.)

Burning fossil fuels is a main cause of air pollution.

All of these fuels were formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago.

Example Sentences

The conflict has also highlighted the need to diversify away from reliance on fossil fuels, Streeter said.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

At the same time, the need to move away from fossil fuels has intensified the search for cleaner energy alternatives.

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

She also would seek to divest holdings such as fossil fuels, weapons manufacturers and surveillance technology from state employee pension funds.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

The law “directly acknowledges that the transition to a clean energy economy may impose costs and affect certain sectors more than others,” including job displacement in fossil fuels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

But Naylor’s farm is one link in a chain that includes fossil fuels, artificial fertilizer, pesticides, heavy machinery, feedlots, antibiotics, and processing plants.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan