oil spill

American  

noun

• oil spills
  plural

1. an accidental release of oil into a body of water, as from a tanker, offshore drilling rig, or underwater pipeline, often presenting a hazard to marine life and the environment.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• oil spills
  plural

Etymology

Origin of oil spill

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

oil spill

The group said the oil refinery, which is expected to take about 30 months to build, will lead to "habitat destruction, marine degradation, oil spill risk and dangerous air pollution".

From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026

Such oversight can include ensuring that companies have oil spill plans in place, or that they perform restoration efforts after development.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026

The findings may have applications beyond oil spill response.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 5, 2026

California regulators had kept the pipeline closed following a 2015 oil spill that fouled the coastline.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 11, 2026

Cockroaches poured from under the door, spreading over the floor like an oil spill.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda