methane Hear it!

methane definition

meth·ane (met̸h′ān′)

noun

a colorless, odorless, flammable, gaseous alkane, CH, present in natural gas and formed by the decomposition of vegetable matter, as in marshes and mines, or produced artificially by heating carbon monoxide and hydrogen: it is the simplest alkane and is used as a fuel, a source of carbon black, etc.

Etymology: meth(yl) + -ane

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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