ignition

noun ig·ni·tion \ ig-ˈni-shən \

|Updated on: 6 Aug 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

Tommy was the key in the ignition, from then on the audiences grew steadily.

— dan deluca, Philly.com, "Roger Daltrey on 'Tommy,' The Who and saving Pete Townshend from sycophantitis," 14 June 2018
Criminal damage An employee of a business in the 2800 block of West Lake Avenue told police May 23 that someone took a golf cart from a storage area and damaged the dashboard and ignition switch.

— alexandra kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Police: Rented Ford Explorer not returned to Glenview dealership," 5 June 2018
The officer saw keys still in the ignition and the two delivery truck workers said Angelier was the vehicle’s only occupant.

— elliot hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New Berlin man's BAC almost three times legal limit, police say," 13 July 2018
The man was booked into the Snohomish County Jail Sunday night on suspicion of vehicular homicide, driving a vehicle without an ignition interlock device and driving with an invalid license.

— katherine long, The Seattle Times, "Oregon woman killed in I-5 collision near Arlington caused by wrong-way driver," 2 July 2018
Historically, America’s lands were structured by human ignitions.

— kyle dickman, Outside Online, "What the West Can Learn from Florida About Forest Fires," 27 June 2018
Exterior siding made with wood products such as boards, panels or shingles are also suggested to be replaced with ignition resistant building materials such as stucco, fiber cement, wall siding, fire retardant or treated wood.

— julie gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Fire readiness begins with property checks, new fire truck," 21 June 2018
The main sources of ignition before humans appeared were lightning strikes.

— andrew c. scott, Time, "When Did Humans Discover Fire? The Answer Depends on What You Mean By 'Discover'," 1 June 2018
Gonzalez is being held at the West Valley Detention Center in lieu of $1-million bail on suspicion of arson and ignition of a destructive device, Russell said.

— james queally, latimes.com, "Surveillance video shows explosion, smoke and panicked shoppers at Sam's Club," 7 Apr. 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

See Words from the same year

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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