butane

American  

[byoo-teyn, byoo-teyn] / ˈbyu teɪn, byuˈteɪn /

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.

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butane British  

/ 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

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butane Scientific  

/ 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 .

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Etymology

Origin of butane

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

Example Sentences

As soon as the war began, Indian authorities worried about the fate of cooking gas—or LPG—a blend of propane and butane that is widely used by most Indians.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

The blast was caused by a build-up of the highly flammable butane, the gas used in the production process, which was taking place while the neighbours all slept peacefully nearby.

From BBC • May 14, 2025

Two of the cars contained liquefied propane and butane, but none appeared to have spilled, the sheriff’s office said.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 18, 2023

The back doors swung open to reveal a kitchenette, with cabinets that pulled out to create a work surface with a butane camp stove, a cooler and a water jug.

From New York Times • Feb. 27, 2023

A spare container of butane gas for safety’s sake weighs seventy- five pounds.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck