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

Fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, has been banned many times by different prime ministers since 2011, amid concerns about earthquakes and the impact to the environment.

From BBC

Fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, has been banned many times by different prime ministers since 2011 over concerns about earthquakes and environmental impacts.

From BBC

In a note of particular concern to some in the state, he raised doubts about whether Harris would continue to allow hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking, to extract oil and gas.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, with hydraulic fracturing, a technique that is used to break underground rocks with pressurized liquids for extracting oil and gas, a deep rock formation that previously didn't have any detectable number of microbes might have a sudden bloom of microbial activity.

From Science Daily

That process is called hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as fracking.

From Seattle Times