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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In this configuration, the dampers are in their firmest setting, and the gasoline engine and combustion motor work as an athletic Olympic team—the Cayenne E-Hybrid is surprisingly energetic. Michael Harley, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Alpine While Alpine is excited to pursue hydrogen combustion's potential in and possibly beyond motorsport, parent company Renault isn't turning its back on other clean-drive technologies. New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2024 This is because running generators emits the toxic gas from combustion that's odorless and colorless. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 28 Sep. 2024 The combustion mill produces 888 hp and 627 ft lbs of torque on its own. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for combustion 

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 7 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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