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
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Valerie Volcovici and Timothy Gardner, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
The low-cost shipping had helped fuel bargain shopping online at firms like Temu and Shein.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Ted Colbert, then head of Boeing's troubled space and defense unit, left the company last year in Ortberg's first management change, fueling speculation about additional moves.
—Allison Lampert and Nathan Gomes, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fuel
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Noun
The Trump administration, though, has recently objected to ICAO's move to boost sustainable aviation fuel.
—Valerie Volcovici and Timothy Gardner, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
The low-cost shipping had helped fuel bargain shopping online at firms like Temu and Shein.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
Further fuelling the sense of excitement was the announcement that a Dynamo Kyiv XI would be the opposition for the grand opening on May 1 — a notable date in the Soviet calendar known as Workers’ Day.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Ted Colbert, then head of Boeing's troubled space and defense unit, left the company last year in Ortberg's first management change, fueling speculation about additional moves.
—Allison Lampert and Nathan Gomes, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fuel
Cite this Entry
“Fuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuel. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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