alkane

noun

al·​kane ˈal-ˌkān How to pronounce alkane (audio)
: any of numerous saturated hydrocarbons
specifically : any of a series of open-chain hydrocarbons CnH2n+2 (such as methane and butane)

called also paraffin

Examples of alkane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Milk Makeup spiked its formula with a blend of mango extract, apricot extract, and coconut alkanes to boost hydration and leave skin feeling velvety smooth. — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 16 Sep. 2024 In the subsequent conversion stage, a catalyzing puck is introduced to catalyze the mix of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, producing a reactor liquid made of alcohols, alkanes and water. — Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 3 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

alkyl + -ane

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alkane was in 1899

Rhymes for alkane

See All Rhymes for alkane

Browse Nearby Words

alkanal
alkane
alkanet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alkane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alkane. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

alkane

noun
al·​kane ˈal-ˌkān How to pronounce alkane (audio)
: any of a series of compounds of carbon and hydrogen atoms in which each carbon atom is attached to four other atoms

Medical Definition

alkane

noun
al·​kane ˈal-ˌkān How to pronounce alkane (audio)
: any of a series of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons CnH2n+2 (as methane)

called also paraffin

More from Merriam-Webster on alkane

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alkane

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All