combustion

noun

com·​bus·​tion kəm-ˈbəs-chən 

1

: an act or instance of burning

Smoke is produced during combustion.

2

: a usually rapid chemical process (such as oxidation) that produces heat and usually light

The carburetor mixes fuel with air for combustion.

also : a slower oxidation (as in the body)

3

: violent agitation : tumult

… periods of great social combustion alternating with quiescence …

—Kurt Andersen

combustive

kəm-ˈbə-stiv 

adjective

Examples of combustion in a Sentence

Combustion may occur at high temperatures.

This ratio of air to fuel results in better combustion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Previous iterations worked very much like a standard 4-stroke engine with intake, compression, combustion, exhaust first. —New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2024

According to Moen, cigarettes introduce harmful chemicals such as tar and combustion byproducts, leading to long-term health risks. —Asmae Fahmy, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024

Internal combustion Jeeps, including the Wagoneer, Wagoneer L, Grand Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer L, will be built on the same lines. —Umar Shakir, The Verge, 11 Sep. 2024

Its eight-speed double-clutch transmission works seamlessly through four drive modes that can combine hybrid power with internal combustion, plus give all-wheel drive on demand. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English combustioun "burning, calcination," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French combustion, borrowed from Late Latin combustiōn-, combustiō "burning up (of the dead or by the fires in hell)," from Latin combus-, variant stem of combūrere "to destroy with fire, reduce to ashes" + -tiōn-, tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at combust

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing combustion

• combustion chamber
• combustion engine
• external combustion engine
• internal combustion engine
• pre-combustion
• spontaneous combustion

Kids Definition

combustion

noun

com·​bus·​tion kəm-ˈbəs-chən 

1

: an act or instance of burning

2

: a chemical process in which substances combine with oxygen

Medical Definition

combustion

noun

com·​bus·​tion kəm-ˈbəs-chən 

: a usually very rapid chemical process (as oxidation) that produces heat and usually light

also : a slower oxidation (as in the body)