: 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
On the list of no-nos for acne-prone skin, Pavitt names shea butter and anything with coconut (including coconut alkanes) as chief offenders.
—
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025
The molecules are known as alkanes, hydrocarbons that combine chains of carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached to them.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2025
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
But, mix an alkane like decane with a ringed molecule like toluene and the mixture will foam.
—Chris Lee, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2020
The ethane family, called alkanes, includes propane, methane, and paraffin.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 13 Jan. 2020
There is something in the air these days in Washington: methane with a smattering of higher alkanes and perhaps a little hydrogen sulfide.
—Spencer Jakab, WSJ, 30 May 2019
The product, which purports to help give skin a healthy, dewy look, is made with skin-loving ingredients like coconut alkanes, coconut milk, coconut water and coconut polysaccharides.
—Courtney Ortega, star-telegram.com, 5 May 2017
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Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025
The molecules are known as alkanes, hydrocarbons that combine chains of carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached to them.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2025
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
But, mix an alkane like decane with a ringed molecule like toluene and the mixture will foam.
—Chris Lee, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2020
The ethane family, called alkanes, includes propane, methane, and paraffin.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 13 Jan. 2020
There is something in the air these days in Washington: methane with a smattering of higher alkanes and perhaps a little hydrogen sulfide.
—Spencer Jakab, WSJ, 30 May 2019
The product, which purports to help give skin a healthy, dewy look, is made with skin-loving ingredients like coconut alkanes, coconut milk, coconut water and coconut polysaccharides.
—Courtney Ortega, star-telegram.com, 5 May 2017
Cite this Entry
“Alkane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alkane. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alkane
noun
al·kane
ˈal-ˌkān 
: 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
: any of a series of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons CnH2n+2 (as methane)
called also paraffin
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