✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

fusion

noun

fu·​sion ˈfyü-zhᵊn How to pronounce fusion (audio)
often attributive
1
: the act or process of liquefying or rendering plastic by heat
2
: a union by or as if by melting: such as
a
: a merging of diverse, distinct, or separate elements into a unified whole
Opera is a fusion of several arts.
b
: a political partnership : coalition
… a fusion of Democrats and independent Republicans …New York Times
c
: popular music combining different styles (such as jazz and rock)
d
: food prepared using techniques and ingredients of two or more ethnic or regional cuisines
a restaurant that specializes in Japanese-Peruvian fusion

called also fusion cuisine

3
: the union of atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantities of energy when certain light elements unite
nuclear fusion

Examples of fusion in a Sentence

a fusion of different methods a fusion of musical styles The show is a fusion of news and entertainment. The fusion of different cultural influences is evident in her sculpture.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The most massive stars implode after only a few million years, and the ensuing runaway fusion reaction destroys the star and blows the outer layers, full of heavy elements, into interstellar space. Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025 The findings can help guide improved capsule designs and models to achieve more uniform implosions, and thus maximize the energy output of fusion experiments. Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025 The third most popular 3D printing method is called laser powder bed fusion. Charlotte Hu, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2025 Luister La Voz’s unique sound is a delightful fusion; I became enchanted by his powerful-yet-sweet vocal harmonies that intertwine seamlessly. Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fusion

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin fūsiōn-, fūsiō "process of pouring, casting of molten metal," going back to Latin, "process of pouring, effusion," from fud-, variant stem of fundere "to pour, shed, cast (liquid metal)" (Medieval Latin also, "to melt down, make liquid") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at found entry 5

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fusion was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fusion. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

fusion

noun
fu·​sion ˈfyü-zhən How to pronounce fusion (audio)
1
: the act or process of melting or making fluid by heat
2
: union by or as if by melting
3
: the union of light atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantities of energy

Medical Definition

fusion

noun
fu·​sion ˈfyü-zhən How to pronounce fusion (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: the act or process of liquefying or rendering plastic by heat
b
: the liquid or plastic state induced by heat
2
: a union by or as if by melting together: as
a
: a merging of diverse elements into a unified whole
specifically : the blending of retinal images in binocular vision
b
: a combination of ingredients achieved by heating and mixing together
c
(1)
: a blend of sensations, perceptions, ideas, or attitudes such that the component elements can seldom be identified by introspective analysis
(2)
: the perception of light from a source that is intermittent above a critical frequency as if the source were continuous

called also flicker fusion

compare flicker
d
: the surgical immobilization of a joint see spinal fusion
3
: the union of atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantities of energy when certain light elements unite

called also nuclear fusion

fusional adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on fusion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!