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

These insects excel at consuming food waste, minimizing landfill contributions, and reducing methane emissions. —Oyku Ilgar, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

By leveraging biogas from organic waste, industries are not only reducing methane emissions but also creating a renewable hydrogen source with lower carbon footprints. —Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025

Candidates ranged from the liquid forms of methane and ethane, ammonia and carbon dioxide to even stranger possibilities like pitch and molten rock. —Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2025

Cattle often come under scrutiny for greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane from enteric fermentation. —Arturo MacIas Franco, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for methane

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

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