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

U.S. natural gas futures ended the week lower as the market entered the shoulder season where summer cooling demand tapers off before early-season heating demand starts to kick in.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

The announcement comes as the International Energy Agency recently projected the world will burn more coal than ever this year, as conflict in the Middle East pushes up natural gas prices.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

Fossil fuels, which include coal and natural gas, are by far the largest driver of global climate change, according to the United Nations.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

The London-listed industrial and energy company on Monday said it entered into a long-term agreement for the import and supply of liquefied natural gas to Greece.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

“Did you smell any natural gas odor in there?”

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

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