ethane

[ eth-eyn ]

/ ˈɛθ eɪn /

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noun Chemistry.

a colorless, odorless, flammable gas, C2H6, of the methane series, present in natural gas, illuminating gas, and crude petroleum: used chiefly in organic synthesis and as a fuel gas.

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Also called dimethyl.

Origin of ethane

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

Words nearby ethane

ethaldehyde, ethambutol, ethamine, Ethan, ethanal, ethane, ethanedioic acid, ethanediol, ethanethiol, Ethan Frome, Ethanim

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use ethane in a sentence

Radar observations have detected the presence of rivers and lakes of liquid methane and ethane and possibly the presence of cryovolcanoes—volcano-like features that erupt liquid water rather than lava.
The Four Most Promising Worlds for Alien Life in the Solar System|Gareth Dorrian|September 24, 2020|Singularity Hub
We derived this substance from ethane by introducing a methyl group; hence it may be termed “methylethane.”
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1|Various
These last two compounds are termed unsaturated, whereas ethane is saturated.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1|Various
All we need trouble about, however, is the first two, Methane and Ethane.
The Romance of War Inventions|Thomas W. Corbin

We have pictured to ourselves the molecule of methane: let us do the same with ethane.
The Romance of War Inventions|Thomas W. Corbin
Acetylene combines with hydrogen in the presence of platinum black, and ethylene and then ethane result.
Acetylene, The Principles Of Its Generation And Use|F. H. Leeds

British Dictionary definitions for ethane

ethane

/ (ˈiːθeɪn, ˈɛθ-) /

noun

a colourless odourless flammable gaseous alkane obtained from natural gas and petroleum: used as a fuel and in the manufacture of organic chemicals. Formula: C 2 H 6

Word Origin for ethane

C19: from eth (yl) + -ane

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for ethane

ethane

[ ĕth′ān′ ]

A colorless, odorless, flammable gas occurring in natural gas. It is used as a fuel and in refrigeration. Ethane is the second member of the alkane series. Chemical formula: C2H6.