fusion

noun

fu·​sion ˈfyü-zhᵊn 

often attributive

1

: the act or process of liquefying or rendering plastic by heat

2

: a union by or as if by melting: such as

a

: a merging of diverse, distinct, or separate elements into a unified whole

Opera is a fusion of several arts.

b

: a political partnership : coalition

… a fusion of Democrats and independent Republicans …

—New York Times

c

: popular music combining different styles (such as jazz and rock)

d

: food prepared using techniques and ingredients of two or more ethnic or regional cuisines

a restaurant that specializes in Japanese-Peruvian fusion

called also fusion cuisine

3

: the union of atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantities of energy when certain light elements unite

nuclear fusion

Synonyms of fusion

• mixture
• amalgamation
• amalgam
• blend
• mix
• alloy
• combination
• synthesis

Examples of fusion in a Sentence

a fusion of different methods

a fusion of musical styles

The show is a fusion of news and entertainment.

The fusion of different cultural influences is evident in her sculpture.

Recent Examples on the Web

South by Southwest London, which runs June 1-6, has unveiled its full music program, with special guests added to the lineup including K-Pop idol Yunjin, Italian pop superstar Gaia, Dallas rap collective Cure for Paranoia, and spoken-word and hip-hop fusion musician BrokenPen. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026

Only then do internal temperatures rise to very large values in the million-degree realm and up, which is the realm where fusion reactions begin to occur. —Big Think, 24 Apr. 2026

Looking to batteries and fusion AI companies are pouring money into futuristic technology like fusion power and fueling the big battery industry in an effort to satisfy their hunger for electricity. —Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026

European Encounters brings matters closer home, serving Indo-Western fusion from the colonies and trading posts from across India. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin fūsiōn-, fūsiō "process of pouring, casting of molten metal," going back to Latin, "process of pouring, effusion," from fud-, variant stem of fundere "to pour, shed, cast (liquid metal)" (Medieval Latin also, "to melt down, make liquid") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at found entry 5

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fusion

• nuclear fusion

Rhymes for fusion

• allusion
• collusion
• conclusion
• confusion
• contusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• exclusion
• extrusion
• illusion
• inclusion

Kids Definition

fusion

noun

fu·​sion ˈfyü-zhən 

1

: the act or process of melting or making fluid by heat

2

: union by or as if by melting

3

: the union of light atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantities of energy

Medical Definition

fusion

noun

fu·​sion ˈfyü-zhən 

often attributive

1

a

: the act or process of liquefying or rendering plastic by heat

b

: the liquid or plastic state induced by heat

2

: a union by or as if by melting together: as

a

: a merging of diverse elements into a unified whole

specifically : the blending of retinal images in binocular vision

b

: a combination of ingredients achieved by heating and mixing together

c

(1)

: a blend of sensations, perceptions, ideas, or attitudes such that the component elements can seldom be identified by introspective analysis

(2)

: the perception of light from a source that is intermittent above a critical frequency as if the source were continuous

called also flicker fusion

compare flicker

d

: the surgical immobilization of a joint see spinal fusion

3

: the union of atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantities of energy when certain light elements unite

called also nuclear fusion

fusional

-ᵊl 

adjective