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ig·ni·tion | \ ig-ˈni-shən 
\
\Definition of ignition
1a : the device that is used to ignite the fuel mixture in a gasoline engine
put the key in the ignition
b : the process or means (such as an electric spark) of igniting a fuel mixture
2 : 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
Examples of ignition in a Sentence
There's a problem with the car's ignition.
Recent Examples on the Web Investigators determined the fire was started by an unknown ignition source.
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Fox News, "Challenger explosion among the deadliest space disasters," 29 Jan. 2020 The owner of the truck had left the vehicle running with the keys still in the ignition while going inside the restaurant for a dinner break, according to police.
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Billy Kobin, The Courier-Journal, "Police: Hitchhiker stole truck from a Southern Indiana Taco Bell, led cops on I-65 chase," 21 Jan. 2020 However, an emerging body of scientific research on patterns of homes destroyed by fire suggests the state’s approach may be ignoring one of the most crucial elements for keeping people safe and limiting wildfire ignition sources.
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Joshua Emerson Smith, Los Angeles Times, "California ignores the science as it OKs more homes in wildfire zones, researchers say," 6 Oct. 2019 Small, spark-ignition engines are used in lawn mowers, ride-on mowers, commercial landscaping equipment and generators.
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Washington Post, "Kohler to pay $20M penalty for California engine emissions," 31 Jan. 2020 Our drivers have noted slow response times, unresponsive icons, and periodic program failures when using Apple CarPlay, all of which are usually resolved when the system reboots, either on its own or with an ignition cycle.
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Eric Tingwall, Car and Driver, "Our Ram 1500 Shines as a Luxurious, Go-Anywhere Snow Machine," 28 Jan. 2020 This, of course, brings exhaust heat from the fire of combustion to areas that were previously shielded, and so the engineering team relocated the heat-sensitive ignition coil packs from atop the valve covers down to the sides of the engine block.
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Dan Carney, Popular Science, "The Corvette is finally the supercar it deserves to be," 2 Jan. 2020 The red Corvette convertible comes with a matching red interior, tinted glass, AM/FM radio, posi-traction, head restraints, audio alarm system, full transistor ignition, auxiliary black vinyl hardtop and luggage rack.
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Lorraine Longhi, azcentral, "Barrett-Jackson: Drummer Travis Barker's vehicles among cars being auctioned on Thursday," 16 Jan. 2020 None of the golf carts, for instance, have ignition keys.
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Stephen Hudak, orlandosentinel.com, "Online auctions are a bonanza for Orange County, offer bargains for bidders," 30 Oct. 2019
See MoreThese 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.
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More Definitions for ignition
ignition
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of ignition
: 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
See the full definition for ignition in the English Language Learners Dictionary
ignition
nounig·ni·tion | \ ig-ˈni-shən \
\Kids Definition of ignition
1 : the act of causing something to start burning
2 : the process or means (as an electric spark) of causing the fuel in an engine to burn so that the engine begins working
3 : a device that is used to start a motor vehicle
Put the key in the ignition.
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Time Traveler for ignition
The first known use of ignition was in 1612
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