refinery

[ ri-fahy-nuh-ree ]

noun

, plural re·fin·er·ies.

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

/ rĭ-fī′nə-rē /

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

"What the local refinery allows you to do is have a truly competitive downstream sector with multiple players who will be more efficient, profit making and they’ll pay taxes."

From BBC

The South Bay is in for a large-scale transformation near the Port of Los Angeles as Phillips 66 shuts down its sprawling refineries and makes way for developers to reimagine the prime real estate.

From Los Angeles Times

The area is home to refineries, freeways, rail yards, oil wells and massive container ships.

From Los Angeles Times

In a sea of gray, white and beige storage tanks within the Phillips 66 oil refinery complex in the city of Wilmington, one stands out from the rest with its orange body and toothy grin.

From Los Angeles Times

Local governments steered power plants, oil refineries, and other industrial facilities to Black neighborhoods, even as research linked them to increased risks of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancer, and preterm births.

From Salon

Related Words

• refiner