methane

IPA/ˈmiːθeɪn/
KK[mˈɛθˌen]IPA/ˈmeθeɪn/

methane — noun

1. a colourless, odourless gas that is highly flammable and forms the largest part

1.nounB2
Definition

a colourless, odourless gas that is highly flammable and forms the largest part of natural gas, which homes use for heating and cooking

Example

The village uses methane from local farms to heat its school and hospital.

collocation: methane from [source]

Hao installed a methane detector in the basement after noticing a gas smell.

collocation: methane detector

Common collocations
  • methane emissions
  • methane gas
  • methane leak
  • produce methane
  • release methane
  • methane from landfills
  • methane from livestock
Synonyms
  • natural gas

    a broader term for the mixture of gases (mostly methane) that comes from underground and is used for heating

  • marsh gas

    an old-fashioned name for methane produced in swamps by rotting plants

Usage Note

Methane is an uncountable noun — you cannot say 'a methane' or 'two methanes'. It is often discussed in connection with climate change, farming, and renewable energy.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Methane, propane, and butane are all hydrocarbon gases used as fuel, but they differ in weight and how they are stored. Methane (CH₄) is the lightest and is the main part of natural gas (70–90%). Propane (C₃H₈) is heavier and is stored as a liquid in tanks for outdoor grills and camping stoves. Butane (C₄H₁₀) is heavier still and is used in cigarette lighters and portable burners. If you talk about what comes out of a kitchen stove, use 'natural gas' (a mixture) rather than 'methane' (pure chemical). For example: 'Our heating system runs on natural gas, which is mostly methane.'

natural gas ↗propanebutane

Common collocations

Nouns

  • methane emissions
  • methane gas
  • methane leak
  • methane detector
  • methane production
  • methane capture

Phrases

  • release methane
  • produce methane
  • burn methane
  • reduce methane emissions

Prepositions

  • methane from [landfills / swamps / livestock]

Etymology

GreekFrenchGermanEnglish

The word 'methane' combines 'methyl' with the chemical suffix '-ane' (used for saturated hydrocarbons). 'Methyl' comes from French 'méthyle', which was built from Greek 'méthy' (wine) and 'hýlē' (wood). The name was coined in the 1860s by German chemist August Wilhelm von Hofmann.