fuel

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

Updated on: 9 May 2018

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

If fuel efficiency standards are relaxed as the administration has proposed, the shift toward larger vehicles will become even more pronounced.

— phillip molnar, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Is it a bad time to stop making small cars in the U.S.?," 4 May 2018
That means gasoline prices may need to rise significantly higher before Americans are willing to compromise on space for a slight edge in fuel efficiency.

— sean mclain, WSJ, "U.S. Car Buyers to Japan: We Don’t Want Your Sedans Anymore," 2 May 2018
But given that President Trump's Environmental Protection Agency is working to slash fuel efficiency standards, more money for green cars seems unlikely.

— jack stewart, WIRED, "Buying a Tesla? Don't Count on That $7,500 Tax Credit," 2 May 2018
The Trump administration plan, which is not final, would also challenge California's ability to set its own fuel-efficiency rules.

— chris mooney, Anchorage Daily News, "California and 17 other states sue Trump administration to defend emissions rules for vehicles," 1 May 2018
Pruitt accused the Obama Administration of rushing ahead with the new fuel efficiency rules.

— james rainey /, NBC News, "17 states and D.C. sue Trump administration to maintain vehicle fuel-efficiency standards," 1 May 2018
The eight gear ratios enhance power application, fuel efficiency and passing power.

— jeff yip, Houston Chronicle, "Toyota’s all-new 2019 Avalon hits dealerships in May," 28 Apr. 2018
Performance and fuel efficiency are also up, according to Chrysler, as both the 3.6-liter PentaStar V-6 and 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 get a mild hybrid system, and the Hemi creates 395 horsepower.

— scott sturgis, Philly.com, "2019 Ram 1500 - bigger, faster, hungrier," 28 Apr. 2018
The feature actually is designed to improve fuel efficiency, mapping out when and where poor driving habits occur.

— mark glover, sacbee, "Which state has the most aggressive drivers? Think local | The Sacramento Bee," 24 Apr. 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

The results may also reinforce forecasts for a rebound in economic growth this quarter after a slowdown in the first three months of the year, with the labor market supporting gains in consumer spending that may be further fueled by tax cuts.

— bloomberg news, OregonLive.com, "Hiring rebounds, U.S. jobless rate falls to 3.9 percent," 4 May 2018
The planet's warming trend has been fueled by greenhouse gas emissions, scientists have shown.

— sara sneath, NOLA.com, "With temperature of 122.4 F, Pakistan seems to break world record for April: report," 4 May 2018
The actions that landed her there were deliberate and retaliatory, fueled by distress over custody of her children who had been taken from her by law enforcement, an arrest report said.

— tonya alanez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Fiery crash into sheriff's office substation was deliberate, arrest report says," 4 May 2018
The results may also reinforce forecasts for a rebound in economic growth this quarter after a slowdown in the first three months of the year, with the labor market supporting gains in consumer spending that may be further fueled by tax cuts.

— bloomberg, Fortune, "The U.S. Unemployment Rate Is Now the Lowest It's Been This Century," 4 May 2018
Many have dangerously speculated that his tweets, particularly those in support of President Donald Trump or other conservatives, are fueled by mental illness.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Kanye West Opened Up About His Mental Health," 1 May 2018
Klobuchar Criticism The merger is already drawing criticism from those who say the tie-up risks undermining competition that has been fueled by having four carriers in the market.

— david mclaughlin and sara forden, Houston Chronicle, "Sprint plunges on concerns feds won't approve T-Mobile merger," 30 Apr. 2018
SUBSCRIBE TODAY Speculation of recruiting writers is Indiana may be the choice, but that opinion has been fueled by the simple fact that Langford has invited the public to watch Monday’s commitment ceremony.

— gary bedore, kansascity, "Monday is Decision Day for elite Indiana shooting guard Romeo Langford | The Kansas City Star," 29 Apr. 2018
And, as occurred years later in Austin, authorities investigating the 1989 bombs were initially baffled, suspecting early on that the attacks might have been fueled by racial hatred.

— mark berman, chicagotribune.com, "Alabama executes Walter Moody, the oldest inmate put to death in the modern era," 19 Apr. 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)