oil refinery
/ˈɔɪl rɪˈfɪnəri/ · oil.ref.i.na.ry
noun
- An industrial process plant where crude oil is processed and refined into useful petroleum products. The oil refinery on the coast processed millions of barrels of crude oil each year.
- A facility that converts crude oil into various petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel. The oil refinery was a major contributor to the local economy, providing jobs and revenue for the community.
Did you know? The first oil refinery was established in 1859 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, marking the beginning of the modern oil industry.