fossil fuel

noun, Energy.
1.
any combustible organic material, as oil, coal, or natural gas, derived from the remains of former life.
Examples from the web for fossil fuels
  • The consequences of burning fossil fuels are already apparent.
  • Governments are trying to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels.
  • It will continue to expand as major manufacturers develop a range of high-speed trains using technology based on non-fossil fuels.
  • Developing nations are going gangbusters using fossil fuels, so they are eclipsing any savings that the rich nations are making.
  • The recipe for making cement calls for heating the limestone, which requires fossil fuels.
  • Must have been all the fossil fuels to heat the caves and mud huts, along with the gas powered oxen.
  • Oberlin's environmental-studies program introduced him to the problems of fossil fuels and the notion of alternative fuels.
  • The last few sentences of a research paper proposal about the potential for wind energy to replace fossil fuels.
  • We now know that the risks of splitting atoms pale beside the dreadful toll exacted by fossil fuels.
  • Right now, the overwhelming majority of our energy production comes from burning fossil fuels.
British Dictionary definitions for fossil fuels

fossil fuel

noun
1.
any naturally occurring carbon or hydrocarbon fuel, such as coal, petroleum, peat, and natural gas, formed by the decomposition of prehistoric organisms
fossil fuels in Science
fossil fuel  
A hydrocarbon deposit, such as petroleum, coal, or natural gas, derived from the accumulated remains of ancient plants and animals and used as fuel. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases generated by burning fossil fuels are considered to be one of the principal causes of global warming.
fossil fuels in Culture

fossil fuels definition


Coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

Note: All of these fuels were formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago.
Note: All fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide when burned. (See greenhouse effect.)
Note: Burning fossil fuels is a main cause of air pollution.