natural gas

American  

noun

1. a combustible mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons that accumulates in porous sedimentary rocks, especially those yielding petroleum, consisting usually of over 80 percent methane together with minor amounts of ethane, propane, butane, nitrogen, and, sometimes, helium: used as a fuel and to make carbon black, acetylene, and synthesis gas.

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natural gas British  

noun

1. a gaseous mixture consisting mainly of methane trapped below ground; used extensively as a fuel

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natural gas Scientific  

/ năch′ər-əl /

1. A mixture of hydrocarbon gases that occurs naturally beneath the Earth's surface, often with or near petroleum deposits. Natural gas contains mostly of methane but also has varying amounts of ethane, propane, butane, and nitrogen. It is used as a fuel and in making organic compounds.

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Etymology

Origin of natural gas

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

natural gas

Of those, 64% said they would rely on natural gas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

But the same framework underpins limits on power plants, just as the AI boom drives a surge of new natural gas projects.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

The European benchmark price for natural gas, the Dutch futures contract TTF, was up 4% to 61.11 euros a megawatt hour.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

Moreover, Middle East tensions remain unresolved, which is keeping European natural gas prices elevated, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

Emma was the only one who managed to get a question in edgewise: “You think we just went through a natural gas explosion?”

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• crude oil
• fossil fuel
• fuel
• gas
• gasoline
• kerosene
• petrol