refinery

noun

re·​fin·​ery ri-ˈfī-nə-rē How to pronounce refinery (audio)
-ˈfīn-rē
plural refineries
: a building and equipment for refining or processing something (such as oil or sugar)

Examples of refinery in a Sentence

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.
Isaias was expected to miss the oil industry's biggest hubs along the Gulf Coast, but fuel prices could rise if power outages shut down refineries for processing crude, industry experts said. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026 Iran and its Houthi allies have also attacked refineries in the Middle East, further constraining fuel supplies. — Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026 Isaias was expected to miss the oil industry’s biggest hubs along the Gulf Coast, but fuel prices could rise if power outages shut down refineries for processing crude, industry experts said. — Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Those targets have included various oil fields, refineries, gas facilities and other energy infrastructure. — Firmesk Rahim, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for refinery

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1741, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of refinery was circa 1741

Rhymes for refinery

See All Rhymes for refinery

Browse Nearby Words

refiners' sirup
refinery
refinger
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Cite this Entry

“Refinery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refinery. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

refinery

noun
re·​fin·​ery ri-ˈfīn-(ə-)rē How to pronounce refinery (audio)
plural refineries
: a building and equipment for refining metals, oil, or sugar
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