petrochemical

[ pe-troh-kem-i-kuh l ]
/ ˌpɛ troʊˈkɛm ɪ kəl /

noun

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

adjective

of or relating to petrochemistry or a petrochemical.

Origin of petrochemical

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

Example sentences from the Web for petrochemical

British Dictionary definitions for petrochemical

petrochemical
/ (ˌpɛtrəʊˈkɛmɪkəl) /

noun

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

adjective

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

Derived forms of petrochemical

petrochemically, adverb

Scientific definitions for petrochemical

petrochemical
[ pĕt′rō-kĕmĭ-kəl ]

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.

Cultural definitions for petrochemical

petrochemical
[ (pet-roh-kem-i-kuhl) ]

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