ignite

1 of 2

verb

ig·​nite ig-ˈnīt 

ignited; igniting

transitive verb

1

a

: to set afire

also : kindle

b

: to cause (a fuel) to burn

2

: to subject to fire or intense heat

especially : to render luminous by heat

3

a

: to heat up : excite

oppression that ignited the hatred of the people

b

: to set in motion : spark

ignite a debate

intransitive verb

1

: to catch fire

2

: to begin to glow

ignitability

ig-ˌnī-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

ignitable adjective

or less commonly ignitible

ig-ˈnī-tə-bəl 

igniter noun

or less commonly ignitor

ig-ˈnī-tər 

igniter

2 of 2

noun

ig·​nit·​er

variants or ignitor

-ītə(r) 

plural -s

: one that ignites: such as

a

: a charge usually of black gunpowder used to facilitate the ignition of a propelling charge and sometimes of a bursting charge

b

: a device for igniting fuel mixture (as in an internal-combustion engine, a jet engine, or a rocket engine)

c

: a separately energized electrode used for restriking the arc in an ignitron

Synonyms of ignite

Verb

• burn
• scorch
• light
• inflame
• fire

Examples of ignite in a Sentence

Verb

The fire was ignited by sparks.

The paper ignited on contact with sparks.

a material that ignites easily

Three wins in a row ignited the team.

His proposal is igniting opposition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

He is now charged with a total of five counts of first-degree arson, including one count in connection with the Old Trails Fire, which ignited Saturday. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

The slump came after the company announced that Jeff Dean, its chief scientist, was departing the company, re-igniting worries about the loss of top talent. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

Security video captured the moment a utility pole fell in a parking lot behind a La Grange Park, Illinois, animal hospital, igniting a fire that destroyed multiple cars. — Tara Molina, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

The Gann Fire ignited Monday in a rural area southeast of New Hogan Lake in Calaveras County. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin ignitus, past participle of ignire to ignite, from ignis

First Known Use

Verb

1666, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing ignite

• self-ignite

Rhymes for ignite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

ignite

verb

ig·​nite ig-ˈnīt 

ignited; igniting

1

a

: to set on fire : light

b

: to cause (a fuel mixture) to burn

2

: to catch fire

3

: to set in motion : spark

ignite a debate

ignitable

-ˈnīt-ə-bəl

adjective

igniter noun

also ignitor

-ˈnīt-ər