hydrocarbon
nounUK /ˌhaɪdrəˈkɑːbən/
US /ˌhaɪdrəˈkɑːrbən/
A hydrocarbon is a chemical made only of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Oil and natural gas are made mostly of hydrocarbons.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Any of a large class of compounds found in fuels like gasoline and diesel.
Burning hydrocarbons releases energy that powers car engines.
3. A molecule studied in organic chemistry because of its carbon-hydrogen bonds.
Students learned how hydrocarbon chains differ in length and shape.
4. A substance that can be part of plastics and other synthetic materials.
Many plastics are produced from hydrocarbon feedstocks.