fuel

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

|Updated on: 20 Jun 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

See fuel defined for English-language learners

See fuel defined for kids

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

This is the third time the government has increased fuel prices since austerity measures were announced late 2015.

— Washington Post, "Egypt increases fuel prices, as part of austerity measures," 16 June 2018
The populist front-runner in the polls, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, is promising to freeze fuel prices for three years.

— The Economist, "The murky future of two Latin American oil giants," 14 June 2018
True, a 2% increase in gasoline-station sales—a consequence of higher fuel prices—were part of the sales strength.

— justin lahart, WSJ, "Consumers Are Spending More, in Part Because of Tariffs," 14 June 2018
The pickup in headline inflation partly reflects gains in fuel prices, though the annual gain in the core measure — seen by officials as a better gauge of underlying inflation trends — was the most since February 2017.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Walsh wants Boston developers to pay more," 13 June 2018
The average price in the Houston area fell 4.3 cents to $2.70 a gallon, while the national average dropped by nearly 3.1 cents to $2.91 a gallon, according to GasBuddy, which tracks fuel prices nationwide.

— katherine blunt, Houston Chronicle, "Gasoline prices fall in Texas, U.S.," 11 June 2018
This type of electrified car is a tool, to reduce emissions with a smaller exhaust footprint and to reduce the fret of rising fuel prices.

— mark maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2018 Toyota Prius Prime: Nothing fancy, just 640 miles on a tank," 8 June 2018
Another concern is that higher fuel prices could hurt the agriculture industry.

— kate yoder, WIRED, "Can This State Finally Put a Price on Carbon?," 7 June 2018
The airlines -- like Delta, which said its fuel prices are up 50% from last year -- have already started to tell Wall Street that passengers should prep for higher ticket prices.

— doug criss, CNN, "5 things for June 7: Justice Department, Alice Johnson, China, immigration, airfare," 7 June 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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

Perhaps more than any other factor, emotion tends to fuel philanthropy.

— peter dobrin, Philly.com, "The Philadelphia Orchestra's tour of Europe and Israel is done: What did we learn?," 15 June 2018
At least 15 people have serious chemical burns caused by the combination of gasoline used to fuel the dinghies and sea salt, according to Doctors Without Borders.

— megan specia, New York Times, "Aboard the Rescue Ship Where Migrants Have Been Stuck for a Week," 15 June 2018
Sanchez said the hot, dry weather combined with dry vegetation from sporadic rain this year created prime conditions to fuel a fire.

— julie gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Brush fire chars 10 acres, disrupts traffic," 14 June 2018
The explosion at 10 Deepwood Lane was large and appeared to have been fueled by some sort of flammable gas, Deputy Chief Stephen Shay said.

— christine dempsey, courant.com, "Norwalk House Explodes, Woman — 9 Months Pregnant — And Man Flee Flames, Fire Officials Say," 12 June 2018
The Los Angeles Clippers answered the call this spring with $10 million to fuel the Olympic dream of boosting youth sports.

— shirley leung, BostonGlobe.com, "Catching up with the LA Olympics, and wondering what could have been in Boston," 12 June 2018
The land was first cleared to provide trees to fuel the iron works.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Ex-Trail Blazer Rasheed Wallace sells $3 million mansion seen on 'Cribs' (photos)," 11 June 2018
But also, to perhaps halt speculation like the rumors that surfaced about Jenner's bodyguard, or any ways people could use Stormi's appearance to fuel hurtful or damaging reports.

— kathryn lindsay, refinery29.com, "Don’t Expect To See Another Photo Of Stormi Webster For A While," 11 June 2018
This shortened time with its mom could ultimately weaken the calf, which needs to drink 50 gallons of milk a day to fuel up for its long migration.

— National Geographic, "Why Humpback Whale Babies Whisper to Mom," 8 June 2018

First Known Use of fuel

1592

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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)

fuel

verb

Definition of fuel for English Language Learners

: to supply (something) with fuel
: to take in fuel
: to give support or strength to (something)

FUEL Defined for Kids

fuel

noun fu·el \ ˈfyü-əl \

Definition of fuel for Students

: a substance (as oil or gasoline) that can be burned to produce heat or power

fuel

verb

Definition of fuel for Students

fueled or fuelled; fueling or fuelling

: to supply with or take on fuel

Learn More about fuel

See words that rhyme with fuel Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fuel Spanish Central: Translation of 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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fuel

Definition of fuel

Examples of fuel in a Sentence

Recent Examples of fuel from the Web

Origin and Etymology of fuel

fuel Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Energy Engineering Terms

fuel

Definition of fuel

Examples of fuel in a Sentence

Recent Examples of fuel from the Web

First Known Use of fuel

Phrases Related to FUEL

Related Phrases

FUEL Defined for English Language Learners

fuel

Definition of fuel for English Language Learners

fuel

Definition of fuel for English Language Learners

FUEL Defined for Kids

fuel

Definition of fuel for Students

fuel

Definition of fuel for Students

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