noun
octane
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Octane (noun) means any of a group of hydrocarbon compounds found in petroleum and used as fuels and solvents. Example: “Petrol is a mixture of octane and other hydrocarbons.”
noun
1
organic chemistry Any of a group of hydrocarbon compounds found in petroleum and used as fuels and solvents.
"Petrol is a mixture of octane and other hydrocarbons."
"The gasoline's octane rating tells drivers how resistant it is to engine knock."
"The fuel's performance depends partly on the octane it contains."
How to use octane
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIt is a type of hydrocarbon found in petroleum and used mainly as fuel.
When to use it
It is a technical chemistry term, though it also appears in everyday talk about petrol and engines.
Memory tip
On its own it names a chemical compound; in everyday speech it is usually paired with a word like rating or number.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
octane rating
octane number
high octane
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Petrol is a mixture of _____ and other hydrocarbons.
Etymology
Octane is formed from oct-, referring to eight, with the chemical suffix -ane.
Rhymes for octane
See all rhymes for octane →Frequently asked questions
What does octane mean?
It refers to any of a group of hydrocarbon compounds found in petroleum, used as fuels and solvents.
What is octane made of?
Octane compounds are made of carbon and hydrogen atoms, with the formula C8H18.
Why does the word octane contain oct-?
The oct- element refers to the number eight, reflecting the eight carbon atoms in the compound.
What is the meaning of octane?
"octane" (noun) means any of a group of hydrocarbon compounds found in petroleum and used as fuels and solvents.
