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

Carney noted on Saturday that Canada supplies the vast majority of US natural gas and electricity imports and about 60% of crude oil imports.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

Canada accounts for 60% of total US crude oil imports and close to 100% of US natural gas exports, according to Canadian government data.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

Even so, the NSR could attract bulk liquid vessels carrying oil and liquefied natural gas, who could see their costs slashed by 45 to 50 percent in some cases, the study found.

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

U.S. natural gas futures settled lower with little consolation from the smallest inventory build of the season to date.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

His father, who worked at a natural gas plant for Gulf as a shift supervisor, had not gone to the game that day.

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