afterburner

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noun af·ter·burn·er \-ˌbər-nər\

Definition of afterburner

1 : a device incorporated into the tailpipe of a turbojet engine for injecting fuel into the hot exhaust gases and burning it to provide extra thrust
2 : a device for burning or catalytically destroying unburned or partially burned carbon compounds in exhaust (as from an automobile)

Recent Examples of afterburner from the Web

The refueling was meant to test the F-35's ability to take on fuel at a heavier weight and higher altitude while using afterburners.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "New Footage Shows the Perils of F-35 Flight Testing," 12 July 2017
Other features of fifth generation fighters include active electronic scanning array radars and engines powerful enough to cruise above the speed of sound without afterburners.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "'Sixth Generation' Fighters Jets Are Already Taking Shape," 27 Mar. 2017
With afterburners glowing, the jets made a low pass over the Village of Heritage.

— Orange County Register, "Memories of Auto Club Speedway as it turns 20 years old," 22 Mar. 2017
Breedlove speaks almost bashfully when reminded of Noble's threat, reminding you of his own big stick: a 44-foot vehicle with a J-79 General Electric jet engine (with afterburner) from a Navy F-4 Phantom fighter aircraft.

— david diamond, WIRED, "The Fast American Hero," 1 Nov. 1996

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'afterburner.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.