preignition

noun

pre·​ig·​ni·​tion ˌprē-ig-ˈni-shən 

: ignition in an internal combustion engine while the inlet valve is open or before compression is completed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The warm-up, preignition, and main combustion initiation sequence of the R-7 took 10 to 15 seconds to gather force before the rocket lifted off. —Jim Oberg, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2014

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above