petroleum Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a dark oil consisting mainly of hydrocarbons
crude oil; oil; fossil oil; crude; rock oil.

NL., fr. L. petra a rock + oleum oil: cf. F. pétrole. Cf. Petrify, and Oil.

Rock oil, mineral oil, or natural oil, a dark brown or greenish inflammable liquid, which, at certain points, exists in the upper strata of the earth, from whence it is pumped, or forced by pressure of the gas attending it. It consists of a complex mixture of various hydrocarbons, largely of the methane series, but may vary much in appearance, composition, and properties. It is refined by distillation, and the products include kerosene, benzine, gasoline, paraffin, etc.