methane

noun

meth·​ane ˈme-ˌthān 

British usually ˈmē-

: a colorless odorless flammable gaseous hydrocarbon CH₄ that is a product of biological decomposition of organic matter and of the carbonization of coal, is used as a fuel and as a starting material in chemical synthesis, and is the simplest of the alkanes

Examples of methane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Glass tubes coated with copper-oxide catalysts feed the methane gas needed for the reaction. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026

Currently, food waste accounts for more than half of all methane emissions from landfills. —Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026

People who compost their food scraps and yard trimmings can contribute to reducing landfill methane emissions; improving soil health; and sequestering carbon, according to the EPA. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026

Babis wants European leaders to reconsider the timing of implementing a landmark EU regulation tackling methane emissions in fossil fuel imports, according to a letter published on the Czech government website. —Ewa Krukowska, Bloomberg, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for methane

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

Kids Definition

methane

noun

meth·​ane ˈmeth-ˌān 

: a colorless odorless flammable gas that consists of carbon and hydrogen and is produced by decay of organic matter

Medical Definition

methane

noun

meth·​ane

ˈmeth-ˌān, British usually ˈmē-ˌthān

: a colorless, odorless, flammable, gaseous hydrocarbon CH₄ that is lighter than air, forms explosive mixtures with air or oxygen, and occurs naturally as a by-product of the decomposition of organic matter by anaerobic bacteria

called also marsh gas