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.
Experts said some of the tension – particularly on issues related to diesel, with Trump blaming Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for soaring prices rather than the Iran war – may dissipate after the US midterms. — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 Trump has also told Kyiv to stop attacking Russian refineries and urged Ukrainians to replace Zelenskyy. — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026 Ukraine has attacked several Russian oil refineries and fuel depots, slashing Russia’s diesel exports by 75%, according to CNBC. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 Aramco ramped it up within weeks, and the line hit its full 7 million-barrel capacity by late March, with about 2 million of those barrels feeding Saudi refineries rather than export markets. — Steven John, Fortune, 23 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 27 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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