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petróleo

oil, petroleum

noun peh-TROH-leh-oh Less Common

Origin: From Medieval Latin petroleum (rock oil), from petra (rock) + oleum (oil).

Usage Note

Petróleo refers to crude oil or petroleum as a resource; aceite is used for cooking oil and lubricating oil. The adjective petrolero means 'oil-related' (industria petrolera). In Spain and Latin America alike, petróleo is the standard term for the fossil fuel.

Examples

"El precio del petróleo bajó esta semana."

Natural Translation

The price of oil fell this week.

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