noun

• A colourless, odourless flammable gas which is the main constituent of natural gas. It is the simplest member of the alkane series of hydrocarbons.

  Chemical formula: CH₄

  ‘Other trace gases include methane, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and ozone.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Will it in the meantime be made from hydrocarbons like methane and natural gas?’
  • ‘For example, the alcohol derivative of methane is methanol and of ethane is ethanol.’
  • ‘Food waste is turned into hydrogen, methane and carbon monoxide by the heat of the exhaust.’
  • ‘Natural gas is mostly methane with small quantities of ethane and other gases mixed in.’