octane

noun

oc·​tane ˈäk-ˌtān 

1

: any of several isomeric liquid alkanes C₈H₁₈

2

: octane number

Examples of octane in a Sentence

an octane rating of 90

Recent Examples on the Web

Madonna accentuated her features with her signature full-octane glamour. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 19 July 2026

South Korean director Na Hong-jin wowed audiences in Cannes with hi-octane sci-fi thriller Hope in which a remote community, situated on the edge of Korean Demilitarized Zone, is terrorized by the arrival of aliens. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 July 2026

The savings may not pay out in the longer run, either, with lower octane fuel leading to an immediate drop in horsepower and fuel efficiency, automakers say. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

More recently, gas stations have started competing on octane levels. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

In your Camry, performance and fuel economy will be about the same regardless of octane. — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2026

Its benefits are similar to the Prime Visa, but with a little less octane (for example, 3% back on Amazon, Whole Foods and Chase Travel℠ purchases instead of the 5% back offered by the Prime Visa). — Sarah Hostetler, CNBC, 22 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing octane

• high-octane
• octane number

Rhymes for octane

• isooctane

Kids Definition

octane

noun

oc·​tane ˈäk-ˌtān 

1

: any of several liquid chemical compounds containing 8 carbon atoms and 18 hydrogen atoms

2

: a number that is used to measure the antiknock characteristics of gasoline with a higher number indicating a smaller chance of knocking