methane

noun

meth·​ane ˈme-ˌthān How to pronounce methane (audio)
 British usually  ˈmē-
: a colorless odorless flammable gaseous hydrocarbon CH4 that is a product of biological decomposition of organic matter and of the carbonization of coal, is used as a fuel and as a starting material in chemical synthesis, and is the simplest of the alkanes

Examples of methane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It was fueled by a huge build up of methane from all those space babies’ diapers. Cameron K McEwan, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 May 2024 Many gas companies also contend the harmful impacts of their fuel can be alleviated by mixing in vast quantities of methane captured from dairy farms and landfills. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 13 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for methane 

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

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of methane was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near methane

Cite this Entry

“Methane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methane. Accessed 20 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

methane

noun
meth·​ane ˈmeth-ˌān How to pronounce methane (audio)
: a colorless odorless flammable gas that consists of carbon and hydrogen and is produced by decay of organic matter

Medical Definition

methane

noun
meth·​ane
ˈmeth-ˌān, British usually ˈmē-ˌthān
: a colorless, odorless, flammable, gaseous hydrocarbon CH4 that is lighter than air, forms explosive mixtures with air or oxygen, and occurs naturally as a by-product of the decomposition of organic matter by anaerobic bacteria

called also marsh gas

More from Merriam-Webster on methane

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