fossil fuel

[ fos-uhl fyoo-uhl ]

noun

, Energy.

1. any combustible organic material, as oil, coal, or natural gas, derived from the remains of former life.

fossil fuel

noun

1. any naturally occurring carbon or hydrocarbon fuel, such as coal, petroleum, peat, and natural gas, formed by the decomposition of prehistoric organisms

fossil fuel

1. A hydrocarbon fuel, such as petroleum, coal, or natural gas, derived from the accumulated remains of ancient plants and animals and used as fuel. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases generated by burning fossil fuels are considered to be one of the principal causes of global warming.

Example Sentences

The effect is even further fueled by our oceans, which absorb more than 90 percent of the heat caused by burning fossil fuels, producing water vapor that increases precipitation.

From Salon

These include lowering energy costs through more fossil fuel production and appointing the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, to slash government spending.

From Los Angeles Times

At last year’s COP28 meeting in the United Arab Emirates, countries agreed to "transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems".

From BBC

Priority No. 1 for the project, which is managed by the China Geological Survey, is to help the country wean itself off imported fossil fuels and ores such as iron and aluminum.

From Science Magazine

Yet governments and corporations are increasingly turning to them to offset emissions, rather than reducing fossil fuel use or developing more permanent CO2 disposal options.

From Science Daily