octane

noun

oc·​tane ˈäk-ˌtān How to pronounce octane (audio)
1
: any of several isomeric liquid alkanes C8H18
2
: octane number

Examples of octane in a Sentence

an octane rating of 90
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Elven stronghold, High King Ereinion Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) and the other council of Elves, which include Elrond (Robert Aramayo), fear entering the high octane battle between the factions of men. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026 As political fix-it man, Fox burns some comic octane, his sense of timing and talent for the right gesture put to good use here. — Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026 There’s nothing low-octane about Libertyville senior Jacob Syc. — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026 Swift is on a high-octane offense (6th in NFL last year), ran for nine TDs, and had 34 receptions. — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026 To boost octane ratings across the HyperFuel lineup, researchers lowered the amounts of lower-octane ingredients (GFT and LSRN) and added more high-octane ones (MED and reformate). — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 However, if your car has a high-performance engine and requires a higher fuel tier, using a lower octane than recommended can reduce performance and cause engine damage over time, according to Kelly Blue Book. — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026 Other epic water rides include the Cheetah Chase and Wildebeest, but there are also plenty of low-octane attractions like wave pools, a lazy river, and splash and play areas for kids. — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026 Madonna accentuated her features with her signature full-octane glamour. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 19 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of octane was in 1867

Phrases Containing octane

Rhymes for octane

See All Rhymes for octane

Browse Nearby Words

Octandria
octane
octane number
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Cite this Entry

“Octane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/octane. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

octane

noun
oc·​tane ˈäk-ˌtān How to pronounce octane (audio)
1
: any of several liquid chemical compounds containing 8 carbon atoms and 18 hydrogen atoms
2
: a number that is used to measure the antiknock characteristics of gasoline with a higher number indicating a smaller chance of knocking

More from Merriam-Webster on octane

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about octane

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