# methane

/ˈmɛˌθeɪn/ (US) · /mˈiːθeɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/methane
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the chemical gas

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

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.

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

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

Teaching tip: While methane is odourless, gas companies add a chemical to natural gas so that people can smell leaks.

## Examples

- Cows produce methane when they digest grass.
- The factory released methane into the air during the repair work.
- Scientists worry that warming oceans will release trapped methane, which would speed up climate change even more.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.