1. an industrial plant where crude oil is processed and purified into gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum products
2. a factory where raw materials are processed and purified

Examples

• The oil refinery processes thousands of barrels of crude oil daily.
• Environmental regulations require the refinery to reduce emissions.
• The sugar refinery converts raw sugar cane into refined white sugar.
• Workers at the refinery must follow strict safety protocols.
• The new refinery will create hundreds of jobs in the area.
• A fire at the refinery caused temporary shutdowns.
• The copper refinery purifies ore into high-grade metal.