petrochemical

[ pe-troh-kem-i-kuhl ]

noun

1. a chemical substance obtained from petroleum or natural gas, as gasoline, kerosene, or petrolatum.

adjective

1. of or relating to petrochemistry or a petrochemical.

petrochemical

/ ˌpɛtrəʊˈkɛmɪkəl /

noun

1. any substance, such as acetone or ethanol, obtained from petroleum or natural gas

adjective

1. of, concerned with, or obtained from petrochemicals or related to petrochemistry

petrochemical

/ pĕt′rō-kĕm′ĭ-kəl /

1. Any of a large number of chemicals made from petroleum or natural gas. Important petrochemicals include benzene, ammonia, acetylene, and polystyrene. Petrochemicals are used to produce a wide variety of materials, such as plastics, explosives, fertilizers, and synthetic fibers.

petrochemical

1. Any material made from substances found in oil or natural gas. Most plastics are petrochemicals.

Derived Forms

• ˌpetroˈchemically, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of petrochemical¹

First recorded in 1910–15; petro- ² + chemical

Example Sentences

The suit is the latest in a series of high-profile legal actions California officials have taken against petrochemical corporations and plastic manufacturers.

From Los Angeles Times

Some 33 billion pounds of plastic waste enter the marine environment globally every year, and the problem is expected to worsen as the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries ramp up plastic production.

From Salon

The pro-recycling claim hides the bill’s true intent, which is to increase the use of chemical recycling, said Cynthia Palmer, senior analyst for petrochemicals at Moms Clean Air Force.

From Salon

I would not rule out attacks by Israel on anything at the moment – nuclear sites, petrochemical facilities, anything that could cause damage to the Iranian economy.

From BBC

Company officials and petrochemical trade organizations have used the phrase in radio spots, TV interviews and a variety of marketing material online.

From Los Angeles Times