hydrocarbon

noun

hy·​dro·​car·​bon ˈhī-drō-ˌkär-bən How to pronounce hydrocarbon (audio)
: an organic compound (such as acetylene or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens

Examples of hydrocarbon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Africa’s largest oil and gas producer is pushing to revive hydrocarbon exploration in deepwater reserves at a time when global oil companies have retreated from their onshore Nigerian assets due to pipeline vandalism. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The energy minister said ExxonMobil plans to expand its exploration activities off Cyprus and is expected to receive an additional license to search for hydrocarbons. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026 These chemicals include Kynurenine and xanthine, which activate a protein called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and α-Linolenic acid and stearidonic acid, two types of healthy fatty acids which activate another protein called PPAR-γ. — Baltimore Sun, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026 The move for a sale, revealed on Friday, would upon completion see the last of the global energy majors leave the hydrocarbon basin. — Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hydrocarbon

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrocarbon was in 1826

Phrases Containing hydrocarbon

Rhymes for hydrocarbon

See All Rhymes for hydrocarbon

Browse Nearby Words

hydrocalumite
hydrocarbon
hydrocarbonate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hydrocarbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrocarbon. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hydrocarbon

noun
hy·​dro·​car·​bon ˌhī-drə-ˈkär-bən How to pronounce hydrocarbon (audio)
: a compound containing only carbon and hydrogen

Medical Definition

hydrocarbon

noun
hy·​dro·​car·​bon -ˈkär-bən How to pronounce hydrocarbon (audio)
: an organic compound (as acetylene, benzene, or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens

More from Merriam-Webster on hydrocarbon

Nglish: Translation of hydrocarbon for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hydrocarbon

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