ignition

noun ig·ni·tion \ ig-ˈni-shən \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: ignition in a Sentence

Definition of ignition

1 : the act or action of igniting: such as

a : the starting of a fire

b : the heating of a plasma to a temperature high enough to sustain nuclear fusion

2 a : the process or means (such as an electric spark) of igniting a fuel mixture

b : a device that activates an ignition system (as in an automobile)

put the key in the ignition

See ignition defined for English-language learners

See ignition defined for kids

Examples of ignition in a Sentence

There's a problem with the car's ignition.

Recent Examples of ignition from the Web

Authorities said the suspects were believed to be entering unlocked cars and garages to steal valuables and vehicles with keys that had been left in the ignition.

— pioneer press, chicagotribune.com, "One of three charged in Elmhurst incident that led to a police car crash sentenced to prison," 18 May 2018
The report recommended enacting an ordinance barring drivers from leaving their keys in the ignition of parked cars.

— nashelly chavez, sacbee, "A Sacramento man was arrested after he left his car idling. That's a law? | The Sacramento Bee," 14 May 2018
The keys were still in the ignition and the car was still running, according to the warrant.

— marie simoneaux, NOLA.com, "Fatal shooting in New Orleans East sparked by drug deal: warrant," 9 May 2018
The keys were in the ignition, but the engines weren’t on, according to Capt.

— juan ortega, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Huizenga's son arrested, accused of drunken boating," 4 May 2018
But, Hand was caught by police sleeping behind the wheel with the keys in the ignition.

— kirkland crawford, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions draft Alabama's Da'Shawn Hand: Five things to know," 28 Apr. 2018
Giumarra is also prohibited from drinking alcohol or visiting bars during his sentence, and must enroll in DUI school as well as install interlock ignition devices on his vehicles.

— benjamin brown, Fox News, "Vineyard heir will likely avoid prison in DUI death of cyclist, mother of five," 5 Apr. 2018
The next morning, her car was found abandoned in a rural area, with its lights on and keys in the ignition.

— tim evans, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana death row holds 11 prisoners," 31 Jan. 2014
Back then, those words had a particular resonance at GM, which was still wrestling with the aftermath of an ignition switch engineering flaw that was linked to the deaths of over 100 people.

— rick tetzeli, Fortune, "GM Gets Ready for a Post-Car Future," 23 May 2018

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

First Known Use of ignition

1612

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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IGNITION Defined for English Language Learners

ignition

noun

Definition of ignition for English Language Learners

: the electrical system in an engine that causes the fuel to burn so that the engine begins working
: the device that is used to start a car's engine
: the act of causing something to start burning : the act of igniting something