propane

noun

pro·​pane ˈprō-ˌpān 

: a heavy flammable gaseous alkane C₃H₈ found in crude petroleum and natural gas and used especially as fuel and in chemical synthesis

Examples of propane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That oil, as well as natural gas transported by the pipeline, is turned into propane and used by millions of people for cooking, heating homes and drying farm crops, Duffy said. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2024

According to Osaka, roughly 60% of American homes are still heated with furnaces fueled by oil, natural gas or propane. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024

Questions and Answers Are propane grills better than charcoal grills? —Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2024

Simply purchase a 20-pound propane tank, then use a lighter to start the heat. —Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary prop- + -ane

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

propane

noun

pro·​pane ˈprō-ˌpān 

: a heavy flammable gas found in crude petroleum and natural gas and used especially as fuel and in the chemical industry

Medical Definition

propane

noun

pro·​pane ˈprō-ˌpān 

: a heavy flammable gaseous alkane C₃H₈ found in crude petroleum and natural gas and used especially as fuel and in chemical synthesis