propane

American  

[proh-peyn] / 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

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

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

Other products were scattered around, including propane gas cylinders and bags of caustic soda, in the unfinished building.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

Amid shortages elsewhere, the U.S. has been exporting fuels including gasoline, diesel and propane at record levels.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 18, 2026

A behind-the-scenes teaser trailer boasts of expending 25 tons of propane to create a realistic approximation of dragon fire and setting a new world record for setting stunt performers on fire in a single take.

From Salon ● Jun. 24, 2026

The man in the gray suit leaned closer to Zane, one thick- gloved hand still resting on the knob of the propane valve.

From "A Tangle of Knots" by Lisa Graff