fusion

noun, often attributive fu·sion \ ˈfyü-zhᵊn \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of fusion

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
—N. Y. 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 Indian-Chinese 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

See fusion defined for English-language learners

See fusion defined for kids

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 of fusion from the Web

The late trumpeter’s family approved a Dogfish 40th-anniversary wood-aged fusion of African honey beer (tej) and imperial stout with brown sugar as homage to Bitches Brew that Calagione claims mirrors Davis’ innovative mix of jazz, rock, and funk.

— a.d. amorosi, Philly.com, "Dogfish Head creates special Flaming Lips, Firefly festival beers for Record Store Day," 19 Apr. 2018
EARTH DAY PARTY Celebrate Mother Earth in Newburyport on Saturday, April 21, with an African dance party and benefit concert featuring the music of the world-class ensemble, Mamadou, and the local fusion band, Red Tail Hawk.

— kathy shiels tully, BostonGlobe.com, "Jimmy Tingle appears in Winthrop to help fight substance abuse," 13 Apr. 2018
Since returning to the PGA Tour after a yearlong absence to have spinal fusion surgery, Woods has made six cuts in seven events and has managed two top-5 finishes.

— daniel rapaport, SI.com, "Tiger Woods Officially Commits to U.S. Open for First Time Since 2015," 12 Apr. 2018
Since his return from spinal fusion surgery, Woods has made six starts on the PGA Tour, with a runner-up finish in the Valspar Championship his best result.

— steve dimeglio, USA TODAY, "It's official: Tiger Woods will play in U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in June," 12 Apr. 2018
Instead, Matt would spend his birthday in a hospital undergoing spinal fusion surgery.

— jason duaine hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Woman Pushes Her Quadriplegic Boyfriend 26 Miles Along the Boston Marathon Route," 12 Apr. 2018
First opening back in November 2014, the multiple location eatery has been serving the Miami area with a quality fusion of Latin and contemporary food.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "CRIME," 12 Apr. 2018
Outrageous luxury is only one element in Koons’s masterly fusion of Pop content and minimalist aesthetics, which prophesied and still authorizes the cultural aplomb of our reconstituted, remorselessly ongoing gilded age.

— naomi fry, The New Yorker, "“Like Life” Shows Seven Hundred Years of the Body," 24 Mar. 2018
Gurba’s memoir is a deft fusion of true crime, ghost story and memoir.

— kaite mediatore stover, kansascity, "Myriam Gurba’s ‘Mean’ memoir a tough but rewarding read | The Kansas City Star," 23 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fusion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fusion

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 ⁵found

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

fusion Synonyms

Other Energy Engineering Terms

scram

FUSION Defined for English Language Learners

fusion

noun

Definition of fusion for English Language Learners

: a combination or mixture of things
physics : a process in which the nuclei of atoms are joined
: a type of popular music that combines different styles (such as jazz and rock)

FUSION Defined for Kids

fusion

noun fu·sion \ ˈfyü-zhən \

Definition of fusion for Students

1 : an act of fusing or melting together

2 : union by or as if by melting

3 : union of atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantities of energy

Medical Dictionary

fusion

noun, often attributive fu·sion \ ˈfyü-zhən \

medical Definition of fusion

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

(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

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