octane

noun

oc·​tane ˈäk-ˌtān 

1

: any of several isomeric liquid alkanes C₈H₁₈

2

: octane number

Examples of octane in a Sentence

an octane rating of 90

Recent Examples on the Web

If your vehicle isn’t designed to run on higher octane fuels, then filling it with a higher octane fuel won’t necessarily result in more power or economy since the grade of fuel doesn’t impact the engine’s programming. —Logan Carter / Jalopnik, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024

Currently, the national average for 87 octane gas (according to AAA) is about $3 per gallon, which means that hydrogen still costs more than double at the pump. —Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 17 Jan. 2024

The use of pure, electronic-grade octane was dictated by the necessity of not having free-moving ions that could leak electrons from the nano-arrays. —IEEE Spectrum, 27 Oct. 2023

So if the usual customer pays $3.50, a customer using one of these two programs would pay $3. Giant Eagle said this discount will be available on all types of fuel, including diesel or higher octane options like premium gas. —Sean McDonnell, cleveland, 15 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing octane

• high-octane
• octane number

Kids Definition

octane

noun

oc·​tane ˈäk-ˌtān 

1

: any of several liquid chemical compounds containing 8 carbon atoms and 18 hydrogen atoms

2

: a number that is used to measure the antiknock characteristics of gasoline with a higher number indicating a smaller chance of knocking