methane

1. (organic chemistry, uncountable) The simplest aliphatic hydrocarbon, CH₄, being a constituent of natural gas, and one of the most abundant greenhouse gases.Examples: "Cattle emit a large amount of methane."; "Methane, an invisible, odorless gas that makes up more than 95% of natural gas fuel, can be as much as 80 times more potent as a global warmer per given unit than CO₂, which is more plentiful in the atmosphere. While there are less emissions than CO₂, methane lasts around 12 years, while CO₂ lingers for centuries."Synonyms: methyl hydride, carbon tetrahydrideuncountable

2. (organic chemistry, countable) Any of very many derivatives of methane.countable