hydrocarbon

[hahy-druh-kahr-buhn, hahy-druh-kahr-]

noun

1. any of a class of compounds containing only hydrogen and carbon, as an alkane, methane, CH 4 , an alkene, ethylene, C 2 H 4 , an alkyne, acetylene, C 2 H 2 , or an aromatic compound, benzene, C 6 H 6 .

hydrocarbon

/ ˌhaɪdrəʊˈkɑːbən /

noun

1. any organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen, such as the alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, terpenes, and arenes

hydrocarbon

1. Any of numerous organic compounds, such as benzene, that contain only carbon and hydrogen.

Other Word Forms

• hydrocarbonaceous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydrocarbon¹

First recorded in 1820–30; hydro- ² + carbon

Example Sentences

Rising magma heats these buried layers, producing methane and other hydrocarbons.

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Japan and South Korea as well as Europe have agreed to buy tens of billions of US hydrocarbons.

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Russia remains firmly established in the region's energy sector, supplying hydrocarbons through Soviet-era infrastructure and building nuclear plants.

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BP said Thursday that early analysis of the site was extremely encouraging and indicates a very large hydrocarbon column.

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Other hydrocarbons failed to produce the same result, underscoring adamantane's unique suitability for diamond growth.

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