hydrocarbon

[ hahy-druh-kahr-buh n, hahy-druh-kahr- ]

/ ˌhaɪ drəˈkɑr bən, ˈhaɪ drəˌkɑr- /

noun

any of a class of compounds containing only hydrogen and carbon, as an alkane, methane, CH4, an alkene, ethylene, C2H4, an alkyne, acetylene, C2H2, or an aromatic compound, benzene, C6H6.

Nearby words

Origin of hydrocarbon

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

Related formshy·dro·car·bo·na·ceous, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hydrocarbons

Because that global economic decline dried up demand for oil, the price of hydrocarbons fell 75 percent.
Why Putin Will Buckle Under Sanctions|Milton Ezrati|March 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hydrocarbons are an amazingly energy-dense and affordable form of storage for the energy needed to propel a vehicle.
Would Putting a Price on Carbon Pave the Way for Electric Cars?|Megan McArdle|January 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And wind power must be supplemented with hydrocarbons for reliability.
A Centrist Gets Fighting Mad|Mark McKinnon|October 13, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Cylinder-oil should be exceedingly pure, free from acids, and composed of hydrocarbons that leave no residue after combustion.
Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants|R. E. Mathot

The liquid portion contains phenols, bases, and a great number of hydrocarbons.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 5|Various
This shows that we have to deal not merely with hydrocarbons of one, but of several series.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 711, August 17, 1889|Various
The light-giving power of coal gas is undoubtedly entirely due to the hydrocarbons.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 4|Various
Here goes: marsh gas, or methane as it is sometimes called, is the first of the group of hydrocarbons known as paraffins.
The Riddle of the Frozen Flame|Mary E. Hanshew

British Dictionary definitions for hydrocarbons

hydrocarbon

/ (ˌhaɪdrəʊˈkɑːbən) /

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for hydrocarbons

hydrocarbon

"compound of hydrogen and carbon," 1826, formed in English from hydrogen + carbon.

Medicine definitions for hydrocarbons

hydrocarbon

[ hī′drə-kär′bən ]

n.

An organic compound, such as benzene and methane, that contains only carbon and hydrogen.

Science definitions for hydrocarbons

hydrocarbon

[ hī′drə-kär′bən ]

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

Culture definitions for hydrocarbons

hydrocarbons

Chemical compounds whose main feature is a long chain of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms. Hydrocarbons are organic molecules (see also organic molecule).

Note

Many hydrocarbons are used as fuels. Some examples of hydrocarbon fuels are the components of gasoline; methane, which is the main ingredient of natural gas; and some components of wood.