combustion

noun

com·​bus·​tion kəm-ˈbəs-chən How to pronounce combustion (audio)
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 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 Energy policy watchdog organizations, however, are concerned that the bill amounts to a sweetheart deal for utility and gas companies that will keep the state tethered to gas combustion. Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2024 Hydrogen combustion releases water vapor, rather than planet-heating carbon dioxide emissions. Justine Calma, The Verge, 22 Dec. 2023 Russians buy almost exclusively internal combustion cars. Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2023 Much of this pollution in the air comes from the combustion of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel or wood, usually from sources such as factories, power plants, vehicles, wildfires or fireplaces. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2024 Wider adoption of electric vehicles could also complicate the future of insurance rates, Simons added, since such cars require fewer parts but each one is relatively costly to replace or fix when compared with the components of a combustion vehicle. Max Zahn, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2024 According to the California Air Resources Board, residential and commercial buildings account for about 10 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions due to fossil gas combustion. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2024 As the engine heats up, combustion melts the plastic fuselage. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024 The Twin Pulse combustion order and the dedicated exhaust system reportedly give the bike a distinctive hum. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'combustion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of combustion was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near combustion

Cite this Entry

“Combustion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combustion. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

combustion

noun
com·​bus·​tion kəm-ˈbəs-chən How to pronounce combustion (audio)
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 How to pronounce combustion (audio)
: a usually very rapid chemical process (as oxidation) that produces heat and usually light
also : a slower oxidation (as in the body)

More from Merriam-Webster on combustion

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