refinery

[ri-fahy-nuh-ree]

noun

plural

refineries 

1. an establishment for refining something, as metal, sugar, or petroleum.

refinery

/ rɪˈfaɪnərɪ /

noun

1. a factory for the purification of some crude material, such as ore, sugar, oil, etc

refinery

1. An industrial plant that uses mechanical and chemical means to purify a substance, such as petroleum or sugar, or to convert it to a form that is more useful.

Word History and Origins

Origin of refinery¹

First recorded in 1720–30; refine + -ery

Example Sentences

His military wanted to cripple Russian refineries, pushing Moscow to negotiate on better terms.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Flores, Sable’s chief executive, wagered that he could patch a leaky pipeline that once caused a disastrous oil spill, ship tens of thousands of barrels of crude to California’s refineries—and earn a windfall.

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Scotland's only oil refinery stopped processing crude oil there in April after a century of operations.

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The state is trying to electrify transportation while bracing for the closure of two major refineries in Wilmington and Benicia that together account for nearly 20% of California’s refining capacity.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"It has not been shut down yet, but it is already running at a reduced level compared to normal," Vucic said, weeks after sanctions cut off the refinery's supply of crude oil.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• refiner www.thesaurus.com