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

“There are already acute shortages in natural gas, and there are also shortages in fertilizer and helium. If this isn’t curtailed within six to eight months, you’ll see challenges,” Pyziur explained.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

The upstream unit will cover fossil-fuel exploration and production, and will house BP’s upstream joint ventures, as well as its renewable natural gas and carbon capture and storage business.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

The company produces steady cash flows from the royalty payments it gets from companies that drill for natural gas across its 3.4-million acre portfolio, and pays it back to shareholders.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

That’s not a policy reversal but a supply stopgap as Asia grapples with the loss of liquified natural gas from Qatar, its main source of LNG.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

It said that Governor Thomas Corbett had proposed that the state’s institutions of higher learning should consider closing their budget shortfalls by drilling for natural gas on their campuses.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

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