ENGLISH
REFERENCE

methane

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈmɛˌθeɪn// UK //mˈiːθeɪn// meth·ane

n. a colourless gas that burns easily. It is the main part of natural gas and is released by cows, landfills, and melting ice.

n. a simple hydrocarbon gas (CH4) that is the primary constituent of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas emitted by biological and geological processes.


SIMPLE

Cows produce methane when they digest grass.

CONTEXTUAL

The factory released methane into the air during the repair work.

COMPLEX

Scientists worry that warming oceans will release trapped methane, which would speed up climate change even more.

Origin

From methyl + -ane.

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