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.

---

natural gas British  

noun

1. a gaseous mixture consisting mainly of methane trapped below ground; used extensively as a fuel

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of natural gas

First recorded in 1815–25

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

natural gas

U.S. natural gas futures rose with the Nymex November contract gaining 4.4% on the day.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

Shell, whose revenue rose sharply to $92.8 billion, said high natural gas prices also boosted its third quarter.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

But the recent resurgence in energy prices, particularly for natural gas, has raised concerns that inflation could become more difficult to contain in the coming months.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

Tanzania made its first natural gas discovery in 1974 on the Songo Songo Island in the south-east Lindi region, followed by a second discovery at Mnazi Bay in neighbouring region of Mtwara in 1982.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

Emma was the only one who managed to get a question in edgewise: “You think we just went through a natural gas explosion?”

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

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

---