/ ˈpetrəl; NAmE / ( BrE ) ( NAmE gas·oline , gas ) noun
[ U ] a liquid obtained from petroleum , used as fuel in car engines, etc. :
to fill a car up with petrol
to run out of petrol
the petrol tank of a car
an increase in petrol prices
leaded / unleaded petrol
—compare diesel
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WORD ORIGIN
late 19th cent.: from French pétrole , from medieval Latin petroleum , from Latin petra rock (from Greek ) + Latin oleum oil.