butane

noun

bu·​tane ˈbyü-ˌtān 

: either of two isomeric flammable gaseous alkanes C₄H₁₀ obtained usually from petroleum or natural gas and used as fuels

Examples of butane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After eight days of examining the scene, analysts found that the light source matched the sparks from a flint ignitor and the flame from a butane lighter. —Harrington Gardiner, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025

Patel fired up his stogie with a butane lighter and exhaled a billowy cloud of smoke. —Marc Fisher, New Yorker, 17 Nov. 2025

These safety devices are designed to identify leaks of flammable gases, such as methane, propane, or butane—all of which are naturally odorless. —Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025

The handheld kitchen torch will need to be filled with butane before use. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary butyric + -ane

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for butane

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

Kids Definition

butane

noun

bu·​tane ˈbyü-ˌtān 

: either of two flammable gases that are hydrocarbons obtained usually from petroleum or natural gas and used especially as a fuel

Medical Definition

butane

noun

bu·​tane ˈbyü-ˌtān 

: either of two isomeric flammable gaseous alkanes C₄H₁₀ obtained usually from petroleum or natural gas and used as fuels