methane

noun

meth·​ane ˈme-ˌthān How to pronounce methane (audio)
 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
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Senate Republicans earlier this week introduced a Congressional Review Act resolution to stop implementation of the IRA's fee on methane, a greenhouse gas that often leaks undetected into the atmosphere. Chuck McCutcheon, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025 Another challenge is making methane from Martian water ice and atmospheric carbon dioxide. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025 The extent of carbonate deposits at Borealis indicate that the mud volcano has likely been producing methane for thousands of years, the researchers say. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025 Euryarchaeota tend to thrive in extreme heat and reduce carbon dioxide to generate methane. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for methane 

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of methane was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near methane

Cite this Entry

“Methane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methane. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

methane

noun
meth·​ane ˈmeth-ˌān How to pronounce methane (audio)
: 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

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