methane

noun

meth·​ane ˈme-ˌthān How to pronounce methane (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
California’s Air Resources Board will start tracking estimates of the climate-warming methane that bubbles up from the state’s dams and reservoirs. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Hydrogen sulfide and methane gas rising from the cesspits were known to suddenly burst into flames, not unlike the natural phenomenon of burning marsh gas. — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026 That snow warms the ground below and allows microbes during the winter to release more of the heat-trapping gas methane, Elmendorf said. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 Traditional wool LCAs tally greenhouse gases, including methane from sheep digestion and nitrous oxide from manure and urine. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for methane

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of methane was in 1867

Rhymes for methane

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Browse Nearby Words

methanation
methane
methanesulfonic acid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Methane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methane. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

methane

noun
meth·​ane ˈmeth-ˌān How to pronounce methane (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on methane

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about methane

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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