hydrocarbon

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

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.

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

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
And wind power must be supplemented with hydrocarbons for reliability.
A Centrist Gets Fighting Mad
Mark McKinnon
October 13, 2010

Historical Examples of hydrocarbons

Petroleum is a mixture of various compounds known as hydrocarbons.
Commercial Geography
Jacques W. Redway
The terpenes are hydrocarbons of the general formula CnH2n-4.
Poisons: Their Effects and Detection
Alexander Wynter Blyth
Hydrocarbons are compounds of the two elements carbon and hydrogen.
Encyclopedia of Diet
Eugene Christian
It may be supposed that this odour is due to the traces of hydrocarbons present.
The Preservation of Antiquities
Friedrich Rathgen
As some of the hydrocarbons are readily volatile at 100 degs.
Soap-Making Manual
E. G. Thomssen

British Dictionary definitions for hydrocarbons

hydrocarbon

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.

hydrocarbons in Medicine

hydrocarbon

[hī′drə-kär′bən]

n.

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

hydrocarbons in Science

hydrocarbon

[hī′drə-kär′bən]

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

hydrocarbons in Culture

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.