Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "butane" [bu•tane]

  • Either of two isomers of a gaseous hydrocarbon, C4H10, produced synthetically from petroleum and used as a household fuel, refrigerant, and aerosol propellant and in the manufacture of synthetic rubber. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "butane" in a sentence
  • "They are very close to eachother with regard to the total amount of energy output from combustion, but because butane is heavier than propane, it boils at a higher (much higher) temperature, and that is the main drawback."
  • "They burn the same but butane is cheaper to manufacture."
  • "Among the substances in third-hand smoke are hydrogen cyanide, used in chemical weapons; butane, which is used in lighter fluid; toluene, found in paint thinners; arsenic; lead;"