hydrocarbon
[hahy-druh-kahr-buh n, hahy-druh-kahr-]
- 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.
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Origin of hydrocarbon
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for hydrocarbons
Contemporary Examples
Because that global economic decline dried up demand for oil, the price of hydrocarbons fell 75 percent.
Hydrocarbons are an amazingly energy-dense and affordable form of storage for the energy needed to propel a vehicle.
And wind power must be supplemented with hydrocarbons for reliability.
Historical Examples
Petroleum is a mixture of various compounds known as hydrocarbons.
Commercial GeographyJacques W. Redway
The terpenes are hydrocarbons of the general formula CnH2n-4.
Poisons: Their Effects and DetectionAlexander Wynter Blyth
Hydrocarbons are compounds of the two elements carbon and hydrogen.
Encyclopedia of DietEugene Christian
It may be supposed that this odour is due to the traces of hydrocarbons present.
The Preservation of AntiquitiesFriedrich Rathgen
As some of the hydrocarbons are readily volatile at 100 degs.
Soap-Making ManualE. G. Thomssen
hydrocarbon
- any organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen, such as the alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, terpenes, and arenes
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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
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
hydrocarbon
(hī′drə-kär′bən)- An organic compound, such as benzene and methane, that contains only carbon and hydrogen.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
hydrocarbon
[hī′drə-kär′bən]
- Any of numerous organic compounds, such as benzene, that contain only carbon and hydrogen.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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).
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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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.