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

Natural gas is responsible for more than 40% of all electricity in the U.S., and the U.S. is the world’s largest producer of natural gas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026

Australia has become an attractive destination for data centre investment, thanks to the country's abundant clean energy, natural gas supplies and land availability.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

Nymex natural gas is up 1% at $3.201/mmBtu.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Nymex natural gas is up 2% at $3.268/mmBtu.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Just outside of Chiba, at a refinery owned by Cosmo Oil, a huge storage tank had been filled with water—instead of the lighter natural gas it was meant to hold—for inspection.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Related Words

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