fuel

verb

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

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 on the Web

The rebellion reached its height in the early 2000s, a bloody rejoinder to the booming economy fueled by the rise of outsourcing in IT and software, and optimism about India’s future. —Dhruv Tikekar, CNN Money, 30 May 2026

To fuel their constant motion, hummingbirds need nectar, either from plants or manmade. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026

In this type of test, called a static fire, a rocket is fueled and its engines are ignited to test the onboard systems, but the booster remains bolted to the launch pad and does not lift off. —Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 May 2026

Artificial intelligence has also triggered fierce competition for top talent and is also fueling tens of thousands of layoffs this year. —Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing fuel

• alternative fuel
• diesel fuel
• flex-fuel
• fossil fuel
• fuel cell
• fuel economy
• fuel injection
• fuel oil
• fuel up

Rhymes for fuel

• accrual
• nonfuel
• refuel
• renewal
• biofuel
• contextual
• nonrenewal
• nonsexual
• unusual
• cruel
• dual
• duel

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