hydraulic fracturing

noun

1. a process in which fractures in rocks below the earth's surface are opened and widened by injecting chemicals and liquids at high pressure: used especially to extract natural gas or oil.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydraulic fracturing¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

A key driver of that dynamic was the surge in hydraulic fracturing.

From Washington Post

New York blinks in the face of uncertainty and bans hydraulic fracturing.

From The Daily Beast

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is still somewhat of a mystery to most of the country.

From The Daily Beast

The increase is largely attributed to more drilling and the sharp rise of hydraulic fracturing in the U.S.

From The Daily Beast