petrol

¹ American  

[pe-truhl] / ˈpɛ trəl /

noun

1. British. gasoline.

2. Archaic. petroleum.

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verb (used with object)

petrolled, petrolling

1. British. to clean with gasoline.

petrol. ² American  

abbreviation

1. petrology.

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petrol. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. petrology

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petrol ² British  

/ ˈpɛtrəl /

noun

1. US and Canadian name: gasoline.  any one of various volatile flammable liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons, mainly hexane, heptane, and octane, obtained from petroleum and used as a solvent and a fuel for internal-combustion engines. Usually petrol also contains additives such as antiknock compounds and corrosion inhibitors

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Etymology

Origin of petrol

1590–1600; < Middle French petrole < Medieval Latin petroleum petroleum

Example Sentences

The loss of oil refining capacity in the UK meant a greater need to import refined products like petrol, which comes in on smaller tankers.

From BBC

A petroleum shortage has led to regular hours-long power cuts, long queues at petrol stations, and has forced many airlines to announce that they will cancel regular services.

From Barron's

Even at their first meeting, McDonald - calling himself Mark Swift - said he had forgotten his wallet and suggested she "help him out" by paying for some petrol, which she thought "a bit odd".

From BBC

While the the items were recovered, shop owner Alex Badham said many cards were damaged by petrol in the failed getaway and were now practically worthless.

From BBC

Maybe someone down at the petrol station, to which William keeps sneaking to mollify his insatiable chocolate addiction and where local people do unspeakable things with the gas pumps.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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