methane

noun

meth·​ane ˈme-ˌthān 

 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

Study Supplementing the diets of grazing beef cows with seaweed in pellet form could cut their methane emissions by almost 40 percent, a new study has found. —Zack Budryk, The Hill, 2 Dec. 2024

Some of the highest-emission foods come from cows and other ruminant animals, which roam across acres of land emitting methane, a potent greenhouse gas, during their unique digestion process. —Byzahra Hirji, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2024

The agency only recently finalized a fee paid by energy companies that spew excess methane gas. —Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

According to computer simulations, the two layers exist separately because the temperatures and pressures of the planets' interiors squeeze hydrogen out of the methane and ammonia. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

methane

noun

meth·​ane ˈmeth-ˌān 

: 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