burner

noun

burn·​er ˈbər-nər 

plural burners

1

: one that burns: such as

a

: the part of a fuel-burning or heat-producing device (such as a furnace or stove) where the flame or heat is produced

b

: a device for recording data on an optical disk

2

: an athlete who possesses great speed

3

: burner phone

… I leaned over and checked the glove box. There were two cell phones in there, both pre-paid burners with a set number of pre-paid minutes, both still in their drugstore packaging, effectively untraceable if bought with cash …

—Lee Child

4

medical : stinger sense 4

He missed two games late in the season because of what athletic trainers call "cervical burners," a fairly appropriate description of the pain that would originate in Wadsworth's neck and shoot down his body.

—Emily Dorman

see also:

burner account

Examples of burner in a Sentence

The burner on the furnace isn't working.

The computer comes equipped with a CD burner.

Recent Examples on the Web

The excavation, carried out by an Egyptian archaeological mission under the supervision of the SCA, also uncovered pottery coffins, as well as a collection of incense burners, oil lamps, and funerary amulets. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2026

Frank Garza said, as many perpetrators only communicate through burner social media accounts or ask for money through difficult-to-trace platforms. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

Fortland does provide cooking basics such as propane grills, burners, pots and pans, utensils, and bowls. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026

Over time, those grease splatters build up around burners, while food residue collects beneath grates, and stubborn grime hides in places that a quick swipe with a sponge won’t touch. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 28 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing burner

• back burner
• barn burner
• Bunsen burner
• burner account
• burner phone
• front burner
• on the back burner
• on the front burner

Rhymes for burner

• earner
• learner
• sterner
• afterburner

Kids Definition

burner

noun

burn·​er ˈbər-nər 

: one that burns: as

a

: the part of a fuel-burning or heat-producing device (as a furnace or stove) where a flame or heat is produced

b

: a device for recording data on an optical disk

Medical Definition

burner

noun

burn·​er ˈbər-nər 

: stinger sense 2