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

Tips To Keep Your Stove Grates Clean Longer Clean up spills and messes as soon as the burner and grates have cooled to prevent a buildup of residue. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 12 June 2026

What proceeded to transpire was a barn-burner between the local rivals, at least in the early stages. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 June 2026

Power source Consider your available power source, as some ovens run on propane, some are solar-powered and others get their energy from electrical and propane burners that have to be purchased separately. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026

The fire is believed to have been caused by the family dog jumping on the stove, inadvertently turning on the burner by hitting the stove knob, according to fire officials. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 June 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