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

While butane gas can be stored at a lower pressure than propane, it requires higher temperatures to be converted from a liquid in the canister to a gas, the state in which it is fed to the flame.

From Popular-Science

Both design teams ultimately elected to go with a mix of propane and butane.

From Popular-Science

The seven most recent Olympic torches have been fueled by substances such as propane, butane, or a mixture of the two.

From Popular-Science

Meanwhile, the more volatile chemicals like butane evaporated quickly.

From Popular-Science

Other companies are developing more efficient extraction processes, some by using solvents like ethanol, carbon dioxide or butane to extract cannabinoids.

From Ozy

Butane purchased at a hardware store often contains chemicals like benzene, which is known to cause cancer.

From The Daily Beast

“The process of making butane extraction [of cannabis] has been around along time, from the 1970s,” explains Black.

From The Daily Beast

Recently, at a pot-centered radio program, someone offered me a “dab” of butane honey oil (BHO)—a concentrated form of cannabis.

From The Daily Beast

Unable to afford electricity, butane, or propane, the students, like their neighbors, relied on wood for their cooking.

From The Daily Beast

Now they heat and cook with butane or electricity which comes from Silver City.

From Project Gutenberg