(n.) 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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). petroleum. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/petroleum/definitions/2044415 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "petroleum" http://smartdefine.org/petroleum/definitions/2044415 (accessed September 25, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, petroleum, Smart Define, viewed 25 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/petroleum/definitions/2044415>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "petroleum" 27 May 2011. Web. 25 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/petroleum/definitions/2044415> |