methane
noun
methĀ·ane
| \ Ėme-ĖthÄn
, British usually ĖmÄ-\
, British usually ĖmÄ-\
Definition of methane
: a colorless odorless flammable gaseous hydrocarbon CH4 that is a product of biological decomposition of organic matter and of the carbonization of coal, is used as a fuel and as a starting material in chemical synthesis, and is the simplest of the alkanes
Examples of methane in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Like many other Obama-era standards, however, such as methane emissions limits or lightbulb standards, the EPA's fuel efficiency rule became an early target of the Trump administration. — Kate Cox, Ars Technica, "Trump admin threatens California, automakers over emissions deal," 6 Sep. 2019 And last week, the administration proposed cutting regulations on methane emissions, a key contributor to climate change. — Adam Edelman, NBC News, "Trump administration dims Obama-era lightbulb energy regulations," 4 Sep. 2019 Thereās an upside: Cutting methane emissions yields quicker benefits in slowing climate change. — Steve Chapman, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Trumpās EPA keeps trashing the planet," 30 Aug. 2019 And research has shown that adding seaweed to livestock feed can reduce potent methane emissions from the burps of cows and other grazing livestockāa significant source of global greenhouse gasesāby as much as 70 percent. — Todd Woody, National Geographic, "Seaweed 'forests' can help fight climate change," 29 Aug. 2019 That argument is undercut by methane emissions, which by some estimates make natural gas no better than coal if leaks arenāt vigilantly policed. — Justin Worland, Time, "Why President Trump Cut a Methane Regulation That Even Big Oil Companies Wanted to Keep," 29 Aug. 2019 Correction: Cattle ranching is one of the leading causes of methane emissions, not carbon dioxide. — Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, "The worldās richest countries came up with just $22 million to fight the Amazon fires," 26 Aug. 2019 And in 2014, Colorado became the first state in the country to require oil and gas companies to reduce methane emissions. — Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, "Colorado toughened up its oil and gas rules. But how tough are they?," 11 Aug. 2019 That footprint, according to the UN report, contributes to 44% of methane emissions that come from agriculture, forestry and human land use. — CBS News, "Ranchers dispute UN report that links cows to climate change," 8 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'methane.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for methane
methane
noun
English Language Learners Definition of methane
: a colorless gas that has no smell and that can be burned for fuel
See the full definition for methane in the English Language Learners Dictionary
methane
noun
methĀ·ane
| \ Ėmeth-ĖÄn, British usually ĖmÄ-ĖthÄn\
Medical Definition of methane
: a colorless, odorless, flammable, gaseous hydrocarbon CH4 that is lighter than air, forms explosive mixtures with air or oxygen, and occurs naturally as a by-product of the decomposition of organic matter by anaerobic bacteria
— called also marsh gas
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