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

CF Industries Holdings, which uses natural gas to produce nitrogen fertilizer, had its best quarter on record, rising nearly 68%, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Strait is a key waterway that usually carries a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas but has been effectively closed since the war began.

From BBC

The conflict in Iran has disrupted the supply of oil and natural gas at the Strait of Hormuz and driven energy prices higher.

From Barron's

U.S. natural gas futures ended the session little changed as the market enters the spring shoulder season when heating demand falls off and cooling demand has yet to pick up.

From The Wall Street Journal

Thanks to shale fracking, the U.S. is a net exporter of oil and natural gas.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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