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

It’s now a major producer of both natural gas and crude oil, while the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, its national crude stockpiles, was created in 1975 in response to shortages driven by the oil embargo.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 12, 2026

It became a leading producer and exporter of liquefied natural gas, thanks to international partnerships and investments that had been brokered.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

Much of the oil and natural gas extracted today formed through this long-term burial process.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

U.S. natural gas futures posted moderate gains with summer weather providing support against an abundant supply situation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

At night there was the equally eerie sight of the gas flares, huge fissures of fire coming from the oil rigs where natural gas, an unwanted burden back then, was being burned off.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Related Words

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