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.
Zelenskyy said the strikes hit the Saratov oil refinery and another refinery in Tatarstan. — ABC News, 8 July 2026 Ukraine has stepped up its drone attacks on oil refineries, with reports indicating Russia has now entered a summer fuel crisis. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 6 July 2026 Yavrayev did not say whether any facilities were damaged; the online news outlet Astra said the attack targeted an oil refinery in the city, causing a fire. — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 6 July 2026 Over in Europe, Ukrainian drones struck a major oil refinery located in western Siberia, as the country steps up its attacks on Russian oil facilities in recent months. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 8 July 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Refinery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refinery. Accessed 10 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on refinery

Nglish: Translation of refinery for Spanish Speakers

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