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
Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2024
But Cochrane believes the simplest explanation is the most plausible: that Earhart and Noonan ran out of fuel near Howland Island.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Jan. 2024
How to spot and avoid card skimmers The FBI warns that card skimmers can appear on fuel pumps, ATMs and other point-of-sale terminals like parking pay stations.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 26 Jan. 2024
Authorities warn that credit card skimmers are typically used by thieves at fuel pumps and ATMs.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2024
Vulnerable components like fuel storage or electrical facilities can be elevated or relocated further inland.
—Rachel Gold, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2024
The penitentiary, which suffers from a severe lack of food, propane fuel and drinking water, is also wrestling with a feet-deep infestation of sewage and garbage.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
On average, hydrogen costs $13 to $16 per kilogram, which is roughly equivalent to two gallons of fuel.
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 17 Jan. 2024
Israel has restricted deliveries of fuel, alleging it will be stolen by Hamas to power its rockets, and has defended the inspection process as necessary to prevent the smuggling of illicit goods.
—Claire Parker, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2024
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 Feb. 2024
And that would be enough to fuel a widespread debate about gender parity in music, especially since none of the 2024 nominees for Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year, non-classical, are women.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024
Related article Elizabeth Warren rips Fed for fueling affordability crisis in housing, calls for rate cuts
Rent growth peaked at a record breaking 15% annually in the first quarter of 2022, before starting to slow.
—Anna Bahney, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024
Former President Donald Trump's signature campaign issue of immigration immediately helped fuel his remarkable rise to the top of the Republican primary polls in 2015.
—Michael Tesler, ABC News, 30 Jan. 2024
Throughout the country, the widening wealth gap between rich city dwellers and everyone else has created, in a sense, two parallel societies, helping to fuel political polarization.
—Sheelah Kolhatkar, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2024
But for the time being, many Californians still need to fuel their cars with gas.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2024
Champagne house to Jay-Z. Ross has been an enthusiastic Luc Belaire ambassador ever since, fueling the embrace of the French sparkling wine in the hip-hop world and, by extension, the broader culture.
—Leah Faye Cooper, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2024
Dylan Andrews and Adem Bona ended that rivalry anxiety with some gritty play, Andrews’ 20 points to go with lockdown defense on Boogie Ellis and Bona’s 10 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks fueling the Bruins’ third win in their last four games.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2024
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Noun
Some theorize that Earhart and Noonan didn’t crash into the ocean but were stranded on a deserted island where they were forced to land after running out of fuel.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2024
But Cochrane believes the simplest explanation is the most plausible: that Earhart and Noonan ran out of fuel near Howland Island.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Jan. 2024
How to spot and avoid card skimmers The FBI warns that card skimmers can appear on fuel pumps, ATMs and other point-of-sale terminals like parking pay stations.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 26 Jan. 2024
Authorities warn that credit card skimmers are typically used by thieves at fuel pumps and ATMs.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2024
Vulnerable components like fuel storage or electrical facilities can be elevated or relocated further inland.
—Rachel Gold, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2024
The penitentiary, which suffers from a severe lack of food, propane fuel and drinking water, is also wrestling with a feet-deep infestation of sewage and garbage.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
On average, hydrogen costs $13 to $16 per kilogram, which is roughly equivalent to two gallons of fuel.
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 17 Jan. 2024
Israel has restricted deliveries of fuel, alleging it will be stolen by Hamas to power its rockets, and has defended the inspection process as necessary to prevent the smuggling of illicit goods.
—Claire Parker, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2024
Verb
The new tool is fueled in part by technology partner Constellation, helps clients generate content that can be run on the NBC Spot On platform.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 Feb. 2024
And that would be enough to fuel a widespread debate about gender parity in music, especially since none of the 2024 nominees for Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year, non-classical, are women.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024
Related article Elizabeth Warren rips Fed for fueling affordability crisis in housing, calls for rate cuts
Rent growth peaked at a record breaking 15% annually in the first quarter of 2022, before starting to slow.
—Anna Bahney, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024
Former President Donald Trump's signature campaign issue of immigration immediately helped fuel his remarkable rise to the top of the Republican primary polls in 2015.
—Michael Tesler, ABC News, 30 Jan. 2024
Throughout the country, the widening wealth gap between rich city dwellers and everyone else has created, in a sense, two parallel societies, helping to fuel political polarization.
—Sheelah Kolhatkar, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2024
But for the time being, many Californians still need to fuel their cars with gas.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2024
Champagne house to Jay-Z. Ross has been an enthusiastic Luc Belaire ambassador ever since, fueling the embrace of the French sparkling wine in the hip-hop world and, by extension, the broader culture.
—Leah Faye Cooper, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2024
Dylan Andrews and Adem Bona ended that rivalry anxiety with some gritty play, Andrews’ 20 points to go with lockdown defense on Boogie Ellis and Bona’s 10 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks fueling the Bruins’ third win in their last four games.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2024
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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 11 Feb. 2024.
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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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