An organic compound made of the elements hydrogen and carbon. Examples: methane CH4, propane C3H8.

Education Glossary of Atmospheric Sciences Data Center

A chemical containing only carbon and hydrogen. Hydrocarbons are of prime economic importance because they encompass the constituents of the major fossil fuels, petroleum and natural gas, as well as plastics, waxes, and oils. In urban pollution, these components--along with NOx and sunlight--contribute to the formation of tropospheric ozone.

NASA Earth Observatory