fracking

noun

frack·ing ˈfra-kiŋ $How to pronounce fracking (audio)$

: the injection of fluid into shale beds at high pressure in order to free up petroleum resources (such as oil or natural gas)

frack

ˈfrak $How to pronounce fracking (audio)$

verb

Did you know?

Hydraulic fracturing is a technique in which a liquid is injected under high pressure into a well in order to create tiny fissures in the rock deep beneath the earth which then allow gas and oil to flow into the well. The term "hydraulic fracturing" is first known to have appeared in print in a 1948 issue of Oil & Gas Journal. A 1953 issue of the same journal also contains the earliest known print use of "fracking." The word fracking (sometimes spelled fraccing or fracing, particularly by those in the gas and oil industries) was created by shortening "fracturing." The addition of the "k" brings the word into conformity with the inflected forms of similar English words ending in a vowel plus "c," such as shellacking, panicking, and frolicking.

Examples of fracking in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Malarkey, fracking and lots of lies:Who won the final presidential debate? —

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 14 May 2024 The United States was becoming far less dependent on Gulf oil, thanks to the hydraulic fracking revolution. —

Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fracking

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fracking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.