Saturated silicon hydrides, analogues of the alkanes; i.e. compounds of the general formula
SinH2n+2. Silanes may be subdivided into silane, oligosilanes and polysilanes. Note hydrocarbyl derivatives and other derivatives are often referred to loosely as silanes.
Source:
PAC, 1995, 67, 1307. 'Glossary of class names of organic compounds and reactivity intermediates based on structure (IUPAC Recommendations 1995)' on page 1365 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199567081307)