natural gas

noun

1. a combustible mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons that accumulates in porous sedimentary rocks, especially those yielding petroleum, consisting usually of over 80 percent methane together with minor amounts of ethane, propane, butane, nitrogen, and, sometimes, helium: used as a fuel and to make carbon black, acetylene, and synthesis gas.

natural gas

noun

1. a gaseous mixture consisting mainly of methane trapped below ground; used extensively as a fuel

natural gas

/ năch′ər-əl /

1. A mixture of hydrocarbon gases that occurs naturally beneath the Earth's surface, often with or near petroleum deposits. Natural gas contains mostly of methane but also has varying amounts of ethane, propane, butane, and nitrogen. It is used as a fuel and in making organic compounds.

Word History and Origins

Origin of natural gas¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Nuclear energy is often hailed for its low carbon emissions compared to other sources like natural gas or coal.

From BBC

The document also recommends allowing tribes to drill for oil and natural gas on their land, and — to decrease the size of government — passing both land and some environmental responsibilities over to tribes.

From Los Angeles Times

Soltanov then described natural gas as a "transitional fuel", adding: "We will have a certain amount of oil and natural gas being produced, perhaps forever."

From BBC

Mountain communities above 3,000-feet elevation, the Coachella Valley and the high desert are exempt from the ban, along with homes that rely on wood as the sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service.

From Los Angeles Times

U.S. liquified natural gas producers worry that retaliatory tariffs could hamper their business.

From Salon

Related Words

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