hydrocarbons

Cultural  

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

---

Discover More

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.

Example Sentences

For years, researchers and industry leaders have tried to find ways to convert these simple hydrocarbons directly into useful chemicals instead of burning them.

From Science Daily

But a lawyer representing four NGOs including nonprofit Sherpa told the court that "selling hydrocarbons to be burned creates an environmental risk".

From Barron's

They grant companies exclusive access to specified areas where they can look for "all mineral resources except hydrocarbons and radioactive elements, unless otherwise stipulated", according to the application procedure detailed online.

From Barron's

These are hydrocarbons, meaning they are made only of carbon and hydrogen atoms.

From Science Daily

The study also identified a strong relationship between the amount of hydrocarbons present and the intensity of cosmic-ray ionization in comparable galaxies.

From Science Daily