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methane

n.
US //ˈmɛˌθeɪn// UK //mˈiːθeɪn// meth·ane
  1. 1 the chemical gas (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    a gas that has no smell or colour and burns easily. It is the main part of natural gas and is a powerful greenhouse gas.

    the simplest aliphatic hydrocarbon, CH₄, occurring naturally as a constituent of natural gas and acting as a significant greenhouse gas. Uncountable in general usage.

    Example

    Methane is produced by cows and from rotting waste in landfills.

    Example

    Scientists are concerned that the melting permafrost will release vast quantities of methane into the atmosphere, further accelerating the rate of global warming.

    Usage

    Usually uncountable when referring to the gas itself.

    Teacher's tip

    While methane is odourless, gas companies add a chemical to natural gas so that people can smell leaks.
    • natural gas
Origin

From methyl + -ane.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Last updated June 20, 2026