English Reference

Word

reforming

Phoneticsre·form·ing

US/ɹɪˈfɔɹmɪŋ/

UK/ɹɪfˈɔːmɪŋ/

Definition

v. to change the structure of molecules in a liquid, like oil, to make them more useful or higher quality.

v. to rearrange the molecular structure of a hydrocarbon to produce a more desirable isomer or a higher-octane fuel. Typically involves heat, pressure, and catalysts in industrial processing.

Examples

“The factory is reforming oil to make better gasoline.”

“Catalytic reforming is a critical step in the refinery process to convert low-octane naphthas into high-octane liquid products.”

“By reforming the molecular chains of the crude feedstock, engineers can significantly increase the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons required for high-performance aviation fuels.”

Examples

simple

“The factory is reforming oil to make better gasoline.”

contextual

“Catalytic reforming is a critical step in the refinery process to convert low-octane naphthas into high-octane liquid products.”

complex

“By reforming the molecular chains of the crude feedstock, engineers can significantly increase the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons required for high-performance aviation fuels.”

Usage

The verb is transitive and typically appears in industrial or chemical engineering contexts.

Real-World Examples

“Activists say introducing assisted dying without reforming care puts "sick and disabled people's lives at risk".”
BBC News · 14 Aug 2026
“Reforming the way the electricity market works could reduce the amount providers get and therefore reduce bills.”
BBC News · 15 Apr 2026

Domain

Chemistry

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference