: any of several isomeric volatile liquid alkanes C6H14 found in petroleum
Examples of hexane in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One example is hexane, which is the primary solvent that separates oil from crops.
—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
3 July 2026
Although their experiments required the use of hexane—a common compound used in seed oil extraction, degreasers, and other solvents—Rahman is currently looking into a way to accomplish the same goals with ultrasound waves.
—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
4 Mar. 2026
But in commercially available seed oils, there's little to no hexane.
—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
30 Sep. 2025
Critics are concerned about hexane, a hazardous solvent used in refining.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
8 July 2025
Recent research says that biofuel refiners also emit significant amounts of carcinogenic and dangerous substances, including hexane and formaldehyde, in greater amounts than petroleum refineries.
—
ArsTechnica,
14 June 2025
The hexane dissolves the lipid components in the oil, then is evaporated off and recollected for later use.
—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN,
25 Mar. 2025
Decker adds that more studies are needed, though there’s most likely very little hexane in the actual products.
—
Matt Fuchs,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
Another process used by some facilities is cold-pressing, when oil is pressed at a temperature below 49 C (120 F), often without the need for chemical solvents like hexane.
—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
20 Mar. 2025
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Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
3 July 2026
Although their experiments required the use of hexane—a common compound used in seed oil extraction, degreasers, and other solvents—Rahman is currently looking into a way to accomplish the same goals with ultrasound waves.
—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
4 Mar. 2026
But in commercially available seed oils, there's little to no hexane.
—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
30 Sep. 2025
Critics are concerned about hexane, a hazardous solvent used in refining.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
8 July 2025
Recent research says that biofuel refiners also emit significant amounts of carcinogenic and dangerous substances, including hexane and formaldehyde, in greater amounts than petroleum refineries.
—
ArsTechnica,
14 June 2025
The hexane dissolves the lipid components in the oil, then is evaporated off and recollected for later use.
—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN,
25 Mar. 2025
Decker adds that more studies are needed, though there’s most likely very little hexane in the actual products.
—
Matt Fuchs,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
Another process used by some facilities is cold-pressing, when oil is pressed at a temperature below 49 C (120 F), often without the need for chemical solvents like hexane.
—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hexane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hexane. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
hexane
noun
hex·ane
ˈhek-ˌsān 
: any of several isomeric volatile liquid alkanes C6H14 found in petroleum
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