Word
petrochemical
Phoneticspetro·chem·i·cal
US/ˌpɛtɹoʊˈkɛmɪkəɫ/
UK/pˌɛtɹəʊkˈɛmɪkəl/
Definition
n. a chemical made from oil or natural gas. These chemicals are used to make things like plastics, paints, and fuels.
n. a chemical compound derived from petroleum or natural gas. Often used as a raw material in the production of synthetic materials and industrial solvents.
Examples
“The factory produces various petrochemicals for the local market.”
“The rise in global demand for petrochemicals has led to a significant increase in the price of crude oil.”
“The development of advanced petrochemical refining techniques has allowed the industry to extract more valuable byproducts from the same volume of raw crude than was previously possible.”
Examples
simple
“The factory produces various petrochemicals for the local market.”
contextual
“The rise in global demand for petrochemicals has led to a significant increase in the price of crude oil.”
complex
“The development of advanced petrochemical refining techniques has allowed the industry to extract more valuable byproducts from the same volume of raw crude than was previously possible.”
Real-World Examples
“The package seeks to diversify crude oil and supplies of naphtha – a key petrochemical feedstock – by strengthening reserves, supporting alternative transport routes, securing shipping insurance and expanding nuclear power.” “There are strong incentives for this trajectory, McCauley explained, since plastic is often a plan B for petrochemical companies, especially as the world moves beyond fossil fuels.” Etymology
From petro- + chemical.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/petrochemical