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

While much of it is captured in retention ponds or vaporized by the heat and combustion, the EPA found each use of the system discharged between 34,200 gallons and 45,300 gallons directly into the wetlands surrounding the launch site. —Brandon Lingle, San Antonio Express-News, 3 Oct. 2024

The European Union demands that by 2035, its citizens will be banned from buying combustion vehicles, effectively eliminating hybrids and plug-in hybrids. —Neil Winton, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024

Additionally, the car will feature an advanced aero system meant to provide plenty of oxygen for its internal combustion mill. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2024

Adding an extra combustion and power stroke to each revolution of the crankshaft means more horsepower to the wheels – and could also mean a more efficient internal combustion engine. —New Atlas, 19 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)