refuel

verb

re·​fu·​el (ˌ)rē-ˈfyü(-ə)l 

refueled; refueling; refuels

transitive verb

: to provide with additional fuel

intransitive verb

: to take on additional fuel

Examples of refuel in a Sentence

The crew refueled the airplane.

The airplane landed to refuel.

Recent Examples on the Web

Dollar Tree quietly stocks shelf-stable protein shakes, protein bars and cheese sticks that can round out a breakfast or refuel a busy afternoon without straining a tight budget. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 16, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026

In April, an oil spill occurred at the dock when the MSC Denmark VI vessel attempted to refuel. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 July 2026

In order for that to be possible, Starship will need to be capable of refueling midflight in a complex process that requires two Starships equipped with docking adapters to meet in orbit to transfer propellant. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 July 2026

As the championship’s longest track, there are always three safety cars deployed to cover a major incident, with a fourth ready to go in case one of the others requires refueling. — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for refuel

• cruel
• dual
• duel
• fuel
• gruel
• jewel
• newel
• accrual
• nonfuel
• renewal
• biofuel
• contextual

Kids Definition

refuel

verb

re·​fu·​el (ˈ)rē-ˈfyü-əl 

: to provide with or take on more fuel