butane

[ byoo-teyn, byoo-teyn ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, flammable gas, C 4 H 10 , a saturated aliphatic existing in two isomeric forms: used chiefly in the manufacture of rubber and as fuel.

butane

/ bjuːˈteɪn; ˈbjuːteɪn /

noun

1. a colourless flammable gaseous alkane that exists in two isomeric forms, both of which occur in natural gas. The stable isomer, n -butane, is used mainly in the manufacture of rubber and fuels (such as Calor Gas). Formula: C 4 H 10

butane

/ byo̅o̅′tān′ /

1. An organic compound found in natural gas and produced from petroleum. Butane is used as a household fuel, refrigerant, and propellant in aerosol cans. It is the fourth member of the alkane series. Chemical formula: C 4 H 10 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of butane¹

First recorded in 1870–75; but(yl) + -ane

Word History and Origins

Origin of butane¹

C19: from but ( yl ) + -ane

Example Sentences

Also inside: canisters of butane, a highly flammable and explosive substance used as fuel for camping stoves, torches and cigarette lighters.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors say he planned to use a metal pipe, butane fuel, a machete and, if he could get them, his father’s guns in the attack.

From Seattle Times

The gas entering the LNG facility is composed primarily of methane, but it also contains small amounts of ethane, propane, butane and other hydrocarbons collectively referred to as volatile organic compounds.

From Seattle Times

The building housed a distributor for the vaping industry called Goo, and canisters stored inside contained nitrous and butane, said Clinton Township Fire Chief Tim Duncan.

From Seattle Times

A teenager in Michigan was struck and killed by a flying butane canister from an explosive fire at a vaping distributor’s warehouse about a quarter mile away on Monday night, the authorities said.

From New York Times