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

Cordless curling irons or flat irons powered by gas cartridges or butane are allowed in carry-on luggage, but not checked luggage, according to TSA. —Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025

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

Rosin differs from other cannabis concentration methods, which use solvents such as butane or propane. —Irene Adeline Milanez, Sacbee.com, 28 July 2025

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