natural gas
noun
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.
Origin of natural gas
First recorded in 1815–25
Words nearby natural gas
Example sentences from the Web for natural gas
British Dictionary definitions for natural gas
natural gas
noun
a gaseous mixture consisting mainly of methane trapped below ground; used extensively as a fuel
Scientific definitions for natural gas
natural gas
[ năch′ər-əl ]
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.