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

Roughly 20,000 fans showed up to watch seven comedians perform D&D, with a few rock show flourishes — like gouts of butane fire around the stage to simulate the wrath of the dragon Kalvaxis, the big villain of the night. —Scott Greenstone, NPR, 7 Aug. 2025

Last year in Michigan, a vape shop storing large amounts of butane and nitrous oxide exploded, killing a 19-year-old man. —Edgar Domenech, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025

Other products too, like carbon black, wax, methane, butane, ammonia, chemical feedstocks ... —New Atlas, 23 June 2025

Use a Hemp Wick Instead of a Lighter Using a hemp wick — often recommended by TikTokers — reduces the risk of inhaling butane, a common lighter fuel. —Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 4 June 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