oil shale

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Word: Oil Shale

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Oil shale is a type of rock that contains a substance called kerogen. When this rock is heated, it can produce oil, which is a valuable energy resource.

Usage Instructions:

• Oil shale is used in discussions about energy resources, geology, and environmental science.
• You can refer to it when talking about alternative sources of oil or fossil fuels.

Example:

• "The country is exploring the use of oil shale as a new source of energy."

Advanced Usage:

• In scientific and environmental contexts, you might hear discussions about the extraction methods for oil shale, such as pyrolysis, which is the process of heating the rock to release the oil.

Word Variants:

• Oil Shales (plural): Refers to multiple types or sources of oil shale.
• Kerogen: The organic material found in oil shale that can be converted into oil.

Different Meanings:

• There are no widely recognized different meanings for "oil shale," as it is a specific term in geology and energy resources.

Synonyms:

• There are no direct synonyms, but related terms include:
  • Fossil fuel: A broader category that includes oil, natural gas, and coal.
  • Shale oil: Oil extracted from oil shale after processing.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with "oil shale," but you might encounter phrases like:
  • "Tap into" (to make use of a resource): "The company plans to tap into oil shale reserves for energy."

Summary:

Oil shale is an important geological resource that can provide oil when heated.

Academic

Noun

1. shale from which oil can be obtained by heating