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kerosene
noun
ker·o·sene
ˈker-ə-ˌsēn
ˌker-ə-ˈsēn
variants
or less commonly kerosine
: a flammable hydrocarbon oil usually obtained by distillation of petroleum and used as a fuel, solvent, and thinner
Examples of kerosene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The use of devices similar to tiki torches, candles, open flame kerosene lanterns are prohibited in the back country wilderness.
—Buffalo National River, arkansasonline.com, 29 Oct. 2024
Next to us, on a blanket, a group of Danish teenagers used a kerosene camp stove to prepare a roll of cinnamon buns.
—Jonah Walters, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2024
The sparsely furnished rooms are heated only by portable kerosene heaters, and there are no modern bathrooms or showers.
—Christine Balling, Foreign Affairs, 8 Feb. 2017
There were a ton of hair tonics that were made with a large percentage of alcohol, some would have kerosene in them.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kerosene
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Word History
Etymology
Greek kēros + English -ene (as in camphene)
First Known Use
1854, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near kerosene
Cite this Entry
“Kerosene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kerosene. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
kerosene
noun
ker·o·sene
variants
also kerosine
: a thin oil obtained from petroleum and used as a fuel and solvent
Medical Definition
kerosene
noun
ker·o·sene
variants
also kerosine
: a flammable hydrocarbon oil usually obtained by distillation of petroleum and used for a fuel and as a solvent and thinner (as in insecticide emulsions)
More from Merriam-Webster on kerosene
Nglish: Translation of kerosene for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kerosene
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