Definition of octane in US English: octane
noun Chemistry A colorless flammable hydrocarbon of the alkane series, obtained in petroleum refining.
Chemical formula: C₈H₁₈; many isomers, especially the straight-chain isomer (n-octane). See also isooctane
Example sentences
‘Instead, new engines have been designed to run on lower octane gasoline, which is made of hydrocarbons that are resistant to knock.’ ‘To test the validity of the open-state model, molecular dynamics simulations in octane, a lipid bilayer mimetic, were carried out.’ ‘My job was to change the plastic numbers displaying the price of 87 - octane standard unleaded gasoline from $1.54 to $1.56.’ ‘Four different solvent media were considered: octane, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, and water.’ ‘Carbon in its most reduced form is found in alkanes, which are typically fuels like methane, propane, and octane.’ Origin Late 19th century: from octo- ‘eight’ (denoting eight carbon atoms) + -ane.