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

This warming is fueled by the mining and burning of fossil fuels that increase carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere. —Richard B. (ricky) Rood, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2025

Ever since the discovery of methane on Mars, scientists have wondered if the Red Planet might harbor life. —Paul Sutter, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025

After eight years of study, the California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously last week not to close the San Fernando Valley gas-storage field, which sprung a record-breaking methane leak in 2015. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024

Emissions of methane, an even more potent greenhouse gas, are also increasing. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 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