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.
When the spread widens, the companies that own the refineries reap large rewards. — Todd Gordon, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 Ukrainian drones have also pounded Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure, prompting an unprecedented fuel crisis in a country that is one of the world’s biggest energy producers. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 The project will also test whether waste plastic pyrolysis can be integrated into a large refinery environment at industrial scale. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 So an increase in Venezuelan oil imports would make America’s refineries more efficient. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 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

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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 4 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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