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

The pipeline, which crosses the Straits of Mackinac, released about 31,000 barrels of mostly propane and butane into the atmosphere over the next four days, Enbridge said. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

For the project, the team tested heat pumps that use butane as a refrigerant. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026

Butane-free Reusable Lighters Skip the butane with sleek, rechargeable lighters from USB Lighter Co. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

Extraction companies often use flammable gases such as butane or propane to remove THC from the cannabis plant, according to Tulsa World. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

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