Natural gas

noun

noun ·Uncommon ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons associated with petroleum deposits; mostly methane with smaller amounts of ethane, propane and butane; principally used as a fuel. countable, uncountable

    "For a good many years, beginning in London, Brighton & South Coast days, the station at Heathfield, between Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne, was lighted by natural gas. The use of this illuminant was discontinued about 1934."

  2. 2
    a fossil fuel in the gaseous state; used for cooking and heating homes wordnet

Example

More examples

"For a good many years, beginning in London, Brighton & South Coast days, the station at Heathfield, between Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne, was lighted by natural gas. The use of this illuminant was discontinued about 1934."

Etymology

By opposition to coal gas (19th century).