natural gas

noun

1
: gas issuing from the earth's crust through natural openings or bored wells
especially : a combustible mixture of methane and other hydrocarbons used chiefly as a fuel and raw material
2
: gas manufactured from organic matter (such as coal)

Examples of natural gas in a Sentence

a house heated by natural gas
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The country is major supplier of crude oil, aluminum, natural gas, and automobiles and other goods. Courtney Fingar, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 With growing cyber threats from enemies foreign and domestic, combined with the increasing importance of electricity, natural gas, water, and communications to our daily lives, now is the time for utilities to invest in security resilience. Brian Harrell, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025 Many are encouraged by the bill’s provisions reining in natural gas pipeline replacements, boosting the state’s use of energy storage and limiting multiyear rate hikes. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025 The decrease is primarily attributed to lower selling prices for ethanol and by-products, despite a decrease in corn and natural gas prices. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for natural gas

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of natural gas was in 1825

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Natural gas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natural%20gas. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

natural gas

noun
: gas that comes from the earth's crust through natural openings or bored wells
especially : a flammable mixture of hydrocarbons and especially methane used chiefly as a fuel and raw material

More from Merriam-Webster on natural gas

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!