propane

American  

[proh-payn] / ˈproʊ peɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, flammable gas, C 3 H 8 , of the alkane series, occurring in petroleum and natural gas: used chiefly as a fuel and in organic synthesis.

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propane British  

/ ˈprəʊpeɪn /

noun

1. a colourless flammable gaseous alkane found in petroleum and used as a fuel. Formula: CH 3 CH 2 CH 3

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propane Scientific  

/ prō′pān′ /

1. A colorless, gaseous hydrocarbon found in petroleum and natural gas. It is widely used as a fuel. Propane is the third member of the alkane series. Chemical formula: C ₃ H ₈ .

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Etymology

Origin of propane

First recorded in 1866; prop(ionic) + -ane

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Explanation

Propane is a flammable fuel you can use to heat your house, barbecue, or portable camping stove. Propane is refined from natural gas and petroleum. Propane is a gaseous hydrocarbon that is stored as a liquid under pressure in tanks. Propane is as useful as it is volatile. It's useful because it's a portable fuel that you can heat anything from a small stove to an entire house with. But propane is dangerous because it's highly flammable. That’s why houses heated by propane have propane tanks outside. Propane must be stored and handled carefully and away from flames.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

propane

Dan also has solar panels, a camping stove, a tent, wood supplies and a propane fireplace insert that can run off grid - without electricity or wood.

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026

Inventories for natural gas and propane are above recent averages.

From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026

That heating generated hydrocarbons including methane and propane.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 26, 2026

Fire officials said they believe the fire started in the engine area and crews found cargo and propane tanks inside and underneath the tour bus, according to KTLA.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

While Zeitoun darted around town, reconnecting with old friends, Kathy had spent an afternoon cooking with Zeitoun’s sister Fahzia, and she’d done something wrong with the propane and almost burned down the kitchen.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

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