petrodollars

American  

[pe-troh-dol-erz] / ˈpɛ troʊˌdɒl ərz /

plural noun

1. surplus revenues in dollars accumulated by petroleum-exporting countries, as those of the Middle East, especially when then used for foreign loans or investments.

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Etymology

Origin of petrodollars

1970–75; petro- ² + dollars ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

petrodollars

This obsession with petrodollars pulls our attention away from something more fundamental: the dollar’s role as the world’s numeraire, the denominating currency against which all or most other prices, contracts, and values are expressed.

From Barron's ● May 27, 2026

The schools, clinics, the manicured golf course — onetime amenities from an industry awash in petrodollars — gone or overgrown with weeds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 15, 2026

They are also concerned about disruptions to their ambitious economic and social development plan, called Vision 2030, which aims to boost tourism and wean the kingdom off its reliance on petrodollars.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 13, 2026

Even as the country with the region’s first nuclear power plant tries to position itself as a leader on environmental issues, the hydrocarbon-rich UAE’s economy feeds on petrodollars.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 21, 2021

A social-climbing stepmother and a doltish Babbitt of a father use the newly minted petrodollars to grease their entry into Dallas nouveau riche society.

From New York Times ● Aug. 4, 2020