Definition of kerosene in English: kerosene
(also kerosine )
noun mass noun North American A light fuel oil obtained by distilling petroleum, used especially in jet engines and domestic heating boilers; paraffin oil.
Example sentences
‘One of the coaches was doused with kerosene and petrol and set on fire.’ ‘Higher oil prices have added to the cost of petrol, diesel, kerosene and gas as well as transport.’ ‘Farmers then visit kiosks to purchase spices, kerosene, soap, vegetables or fish, and salt.’ ‘Early types of gasoline were produced as a byproduct of the process used to make kerosene fuel for oil lamps.’ ‘Soldiers check through bags for any banned goods, including diesel, petrol or kerosene.’ ‘The refinery is the nation's largest producer of gasoline, kerosene and other refined products.’ ‘Do not use kerosene or fuel oil emulsions as they can cause undesirable flavors in fish.’ ‘These herbicides must be applied in an oil-based carrier such as diesel fuel or kerosene.’ ‘Sales of petrol, kerosene, gas and other petroleum products were suspended.’ ‘There was wood all around the base and the smell of kerosene was thick in the cold air.’ ‘There is no duty on kerosene when it is used as heating oil but it can be mixed with diesel to run engines.’ ‘In the land of oil, they have to queue five hours a day to get kerosene or petrol.’ ‘To reduce the problem of fuel supply in the cave, they turned to less bulky kerosene.’ ‘Many pieces of wood, soaked with kerosene made a splendid fire in the barbecue pit.’ ‘At one roadside stall, children filled polythene bags with just enough kerosene to keep the family stove burning for one more evening.’ ‘For those people who use kerosene, the fuel price hike will be a heavy burden.’ ‘With no duty on kerosene in the north, smugglers are bringing heating oil south by the ton.’ ‘Homes in villages are lit with paraffin wicks in tin cans filled with kerosene, a substance that is both dangerous and expensive.’ ‘People used kerosene for cooking and lighting, which was dangerous because of the thatched roofs.’ ‘The price of petrol, diesel and kerosene has gone up four times since February.’ Origin Mid 19th century: from Greek kēros ‘wax’ (because the solid form of paraffin is like wax) + -ene.