fuel

noun, often attributive fu·el \ ˈfyü(-ə)l \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Examples: fuel in a Sentence

Definition of fuel

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

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Examples of fuel in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of fuel from the Web

Your nonexistent carbon monoxide detector Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a toxic gas byproduct from burning fuel like gasoline, propane, and natural gas, according to the CDC.

— carolyn l. todd, SELF, "Emergency Responders Share 9 of the Biggest Death Traps in Your Home," 14 July 2018
That methane gas becomes a fuel source for an on-site, electricity-generating plant that powers an estimated 5,000 homes every day.

— anne geggis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Mount Trashmore, the landfill that's over 20 stories, will grow bigger and taller," 13 July 2018
And now, his icon status is getting fuel from an unlikely place: local library paint-alongs with wait lists to get in.

— julia lyon, Washington Post, "People are waiting in line. Is it Hamilton? No, it’s Bob Ross on YouTube.," 13 July 2018
Trending Video Baby Ariel Reacts to Her Old Instagram Photos To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that : 0%: 0% Magic Words: Grieving what’s leaving fuels what’s yet to come.

— bess matassa, Teen Vogue, "Weekly Horoscopes July 16-22," 13 July 2018
Worldwide fossil fuel consumption is expected to rise for decades, and U.S. taxpayers benefit by exporting fuel.

— zack colman, Scientific American, "A Trump Oil Boom Could Transform This Rocky Mountain Landscape," 13 July 2018
To get more wheels on the road (Michelin wheels, of course), the well-to-do brothers of Clermont-Ferrand published a guidebook of hotels and fuel stops in the French countryside in 1900.

— casey quackenbush / hong kong, Time, "'We're Not Educated.' The Untold Story of Lung King Heen, the World's First Michelin Three-Star Chinese Restaurant," 12 July 2018
But the defining moment came in lap 125 when Rhodes took a fuel-only pitstop.

— charlie hatch, Cincinnati.com, "Louisville-native Ben Rhodes wins Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway," 12 July 2018
Ammonia made this way should attract buyers in places such as the European Union and California, which have created incentives to buy greener fuels.

— robert f. service, Science | AAAS, "Ammonia—a renewable fuel made from sun, air, and water—could power the globe without carbon," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fuel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fuel

Middle English fewel, from Anglo-French fuail, feuaile, from Vulgar Latin *focalia, from Latin focus hearth

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First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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fuel Synonyms

Synonyms

energy, power;

Related Words

kindling, propellant (also propellent);

force;

Other Energy Engineering Terms

fusion, scram

fuel

verb

Definition of fuel

fueled or fuelled; fueling or fuelling

transitive verb

1 : to provide with fuel

2 : support, stimulate

movement is fueled by massive grants-in-aid
—Allen Schick

intransitive verb

: to take in fuel —often used with up

See fuel defined for English-language learners

Examples of fuel in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of fuel from the Web

Most observers think that indiscriminate killings by the army and the forcing of people into garrison towns are fuelling the insurgency.

— The Economist, "The fight against Islamic State is moving to Africa," 14 July 2018
The buildings coincide with plans for a Speedway fueling center at the northwest corner of Christina Drive and Route 72, which will include a 4,600-square foot convenience store, a Speedy Cafe, 10 gasoline pumps and four commercial diesel lanes.

— erin sauder, Elgin Courier-News, "East Dundee to get another gun range," 13 July 2018
Consumer awareness, new alternatives for sipping drinks and growing concern about how plastics can harm the environment are fueling the movement, experts say.

— lorraine mirabella, baltimoresun.com, "More eateries, businesses do away with plastic straws," 13 July 2018
That trend is fueling the rise of online sellers who are simplifying the process and luring customers with lower-than-store prices, free shipping and a no-risk three-month trial.

— janine wolf / bloomberg, Time, "You Can Pay to Nap at This Mattress Company's New Store," 11 July 2018
But a strong market for safeties among well-to-do women goosed production, and competition among manufacturers reduced prices, making the bikes affordable to more would-be riders — and further fueling demand.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "The Wheel, the Woman, and the Human Body," 6 July 2018
California is smack in the middle of fire season, and recent weather conditions have fueled blazes across the northern part of the state.

— cassie dickman, sacbee, "Why was Sacramento suddenly cloudy this morning? Blame Fabio, weather experts say," 6 July 2018
The legal disputes have fueled concern that Micron has become a pawn in a broader trade dispute between China and the U.S. President Donald Trump has railed against Chinese companies for allegedly stealing U.S. companies' intellectual property.

— david staats and ian king, idahostatesman, "A Chinese court just retaliated against Boise's Micron. Here's why, and what it means," 5 July 2018
Tammé finds power in bashing in her white co-workers every match, and Jenny fuels her passion into making costumes for the show.

— mike bloom, The Hollywood Reporter, "'GLOW' Stars Wrestle With Inclusion and Satire Through Stereotypes," 5 July 2018

First Known Use of fuel

1592

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

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FUEL Defined for English Language Learners

fuel

noun

Definition of fuel for English Language Learners

: a material (such as coal, oil, or gas) that is burned to produce heat or power
: something that gives support or strength to something (such as argument or angry feelings)