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.
Conversely, for some young attorneys with an interest in the energy transition, the fact that much of the data center buildout is being powered by new natural gas plants has been a turnoff for joining digital infrastructure teams, another said. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Despite six months of an almost continuous Gulf oil and natural gas embargo by Iran, the global economy is suffering minimal damage. — James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026 Wholesale gas prices were up 1% in early Thursday trading, as was natural gas. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026 Those included jets linked to Michael Smith, the billionaire chairman of natural gas export facility Freeport LNG, and several media companies, including Fox, CBS and IHeartMedia. — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 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

Rhymes for natural gas

See All Rhymes for natural gas

Browse Nearby Words

natural function
natural gas
natural gasoline
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Cite this Entry

“Natural gas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natural%20gas. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about natural gas

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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