fossil fuel

American  

[fos-uhl fyoo-uhl] / ˈfɒs əl ˈfyu əl /

noun

Energy.

1. any combustible organic material, as oil, coal, or natural gas, derived from the remains of former life.

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fossil fuel British  

noun

1. any naturally occurring carbon or hydrocarbon fuel, such as coal, petroleum, peat, and natural gas, formed by the decomposition of prehistoric organisms

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fossil fuel Scientific  

1. A hydrocarbon fuel, such as petroleum, coal, or natural gas, derived from the accumulated remains of ancient plants and animals and used as fuel. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases generated by burning fossil fuels are considered to be one of the principal causes of global warming.

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Example Sentences

Tuvalu has entrusted management of its single-largest financial asset to advisory firm Mercer, which has invested in funds holding stakes in major fossil fuel companies, according to financial records and government reports reviewed by AFP.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

This creates a dilemma for countries rethinking their reliance on fossil fuel, following the second energy crisis in four years.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

According to the Sierra Club, more than 85% of renewable energy sources now cost less than fossil fuel sources.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

They are often created by burning fossil fuel products like the petrol or diesel that power vehicles.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

On the industrial farm, it takes about ten calories of fossil fuel energy to produce one calorie of food energy.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan