often attributive
1
a
: a material used to produce heat or power by burning
b
: nutritive material
c
: a material from which atomic energy can be liberated especially in a reactor
2
: a source of sustenance or incentive : reinforcement
fueled or fuelled; fueling or fuelling
1
: to provide with fuel
: to take in fuel
—often used with up
Synonyms
Examples of fuel in a Sentence
Noun
I had the fuel pump replaced on my car.
These latest scandals will provide further fuel for his political opponents.
These latest accusations will only add fuel to the controversy.
The controversy continues to rage, and these latest accusations will only add fuel to the fire.
Verb
The airplanes were fueled in midair.
The criticism she has faced has only fueled her determination to succeed.
Inflation was fueled by high prices.
The strong economy has fueled the construction of new homes.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Erin McGarry, NBC News, 8 Sep. 2023
As part of fighting the Camp Creek fire, crews are using fire to remove fuels along the fire’s edge.
—Gwozniac, oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2023
This cutaway shows that, in addition to housing the torque tube, the C5's structural backbone also provides a conduit for brake and fuel lines, the shift linkage, the wiring harness, and on the other side, the parking-brake cable.
—Jim Frenak, Car and Driver, 7 Sep. 2023
Some fuel analysts are skeptical the new law will make much difference.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023
Consider this: Fire with access to air and fuel, will double in size every 30 seconds.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 7 Sep. 2023
Despite accounting for 20% of the global population, investment in African energy projects is far too small, leaving much of the continent lacking basic access to electricity or clean cooking fuels, the IEA said.
—Will Horner, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2023
Wind shear tears apart developing storms, while warm water acts as fuel to power up storms.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2023
The fire prevention zone — an area carefully cleared to remove fuel and minimize the spread of flames — was created by a logging company owned by a local Indigenous community.
—Ian Austen, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2023
Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2023
Disregard for those church laws is fueling divisions that have already led to the exodus of about 20% of the United Methodist Church's congregations across the U.S. since disaffiliations began in 2019.
—Sarah Maddox, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2023
That’s the eternal question of the market, even as the GameStop phenomenon gets fueled into an armchair insurrection.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2023
Filling a ‘vacuum’ The rise in violence is fueled by organized crime, Israeli officials say.
—Hadas Gold, CNN, 8 Sep. 2023
Western weaponry fueled Ukraine’s summertime counteroffensive along a 600-mile front.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
When the states cracked down on the pill mills, people turned to a new market fueled with heroin, brought in primarily by Mexican cartels.
—Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023
At the time, experts said the fire had been fueled by drought and winds from a passing hurricane.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2023
Vaccine Food & Drug Administration, May 5, 2022, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Limits Use of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine to Certain Individuals
Department of Health & Human Services, accessed Aug. 21, VAERS Data
Detroit Free Press, Aug. 21, Michigan teen’s death fueled anti-vaccine rhetoric.
—Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023
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Noun
Marine heat waves have helped provide the necessary fuel for hurricanes to quickly intensify — a phenomenon that scientists say could become more common as a result of climate change.
—Erin McGarry, NBC News, 8 Sep. 2023
As part of fighting the Camp Creek fire, crews are using fire to remove fuels along the fire’s edge.
—Gwozniac, oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2023
This cutaway shows that, in addition to housing the torque tube, the C5's structural backbone also provides a conduit for brake and fuel lines, the shift linkage, the wiring harness, and on the other side, the parking-brake cable.
—Jim Frenak, Car and Driver, 7 Sep. 2023
Some fuel analysts are skeptical the new law will make much difference.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023
Consider this: Fire with access to air and fuel, will double in size every 30 seconds.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 7 Sep. 2023
Despite accounting for 20% of the global population, investment in African energy projects is far too small, leaving much of the continent lacking basic access to electricity or clean cooking fuels, the IEA said.
—Will Horner, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2023
Wind shear tears apart developing storms, while warm water acts as fuel to power up storms.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2023
The fire prevention zone — an area carefully cleared to remove fuel and minimize the spread of flames — was created by a logging company owned by a local Indigenous community.
—Ian Austen, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2023
Verb
Experts say that the drug’s strength has fueled an increase in opioid fatalities.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2023
Disregard for those church laws is fueling divisions that have already led to the exodus of about 20% of the United Methodist Church's congregations across the U.S. since disaffiliations began in 2019.
—Sarah Maddox, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2023
That’s the eternal question of the market, even as the GameStop phenomenon gets fueled into an armchair insurrection.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2023
Filling a ‘vacuum’ The rise in violence is fueled by organized crime, Israeli officials say.
—Hadas Gold, CNN, 8 Sep. 2023
Western weaponry fueled Ukraine’s summertime counteroffensive along a 600-mile front.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
When the states cracked down on the pill mills, people turned to a new market fueled with heroin, brought in primarily by Mexican cartels.
—Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023
At the time, experts said the fire had been fueled by drought and winds from a passing hurricane.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2023
Vaccine Food & Drug Administration, May 5, 2022, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Limits Use of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine to Certain Individuals
Department of Health & Human Services, accessed Aug. 21, VAERS Data
Detroit Free Press, Aug. 21, Michigan teen’s death fueled anti-vaccine rhetoric.
—Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fuel.' 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
Noun
Middle English fewel, from Anglo-French fuail, feuaile, from Vulgar Latin *focalia, from Latin focus hearth
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1592, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of fuel was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing fuel
Dictionary Entries Near fuel
Cite this Entry
“Fuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuel. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
fuel
1 of 2 noun
fu·el
ˈfyü(-ə)l 
1
a
: a material used to produce heat or power by burning
b
: a material from which atomic energy can be produced especially in a reactor
2
: a source of energy
fuel
2 of 2 verb
fueled or fuelled; fueling or fuelling
: to supply with or take in fuel
More from Merriam-Webster on fuel
Nglish: Translation of fuel for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fuel for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fuel
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