kerosene
n. uncountable B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈkɛɹəˌsin// UK //kˈɛɹəsˌiːn// kerosene
n. a clear oil used as fuel for lamps, heaters, and some airplane engines. It has a strong smell and burns easily.
n. a flammable hydrocarbon oil obtained by distilling petroleum, used primarily as a fuel in jet engines, heating systems, and lamps.
The old lamp still runs on kerosene.
During the power outage, they used a kerosene heater to keep the living room warm.
While modern aviation relies on highly refined kerosene for jet propulsion, many rural households in developing regions still depend on it for basic lighting and cooking needs.
From Ancient Greek κηρός (kērós, “wax”) + -ene; a name trademarked in 1854.