refuel

verb

re·​fu·​el (ˌ)rē-ˈfyü(-ə)l How to pronounce refuel (audio)
refueled; refueling; refuels

transitive verb

: to provide with additional fuel

intransitive verb

: to take on additional fuel

Examples of refuel in a Sentence

The crew refueled the airplane. The airplane landed to refuel.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It was supposed to head south to refuel in Bay Ridge before heading out of New York Harbor and was never meant to sail under the bridge. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 19 May 2025 Hungry after a day's hard work, McNally went to refuel at a new restaurant joint (a switch-up from her usual go-to, Chipotle) — and alas, the unthinkable happened. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025 In fact, modern nuclear boats can't be refueled; there's no provision for it in their design. New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2025 There’s even tank monitoring feedback between the boat and the fueling station that monitors tank conditions and can stop refueling if things get too hot. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for refuel

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of refuel was in 1811

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Refuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refuel. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

refuel

verb
re·​fu·​el (ˈ)rē-ˈfyü-əl How to pronounce refuel (audio)
: to provide with or take on more fuel

More from Merriam-Webster on refuel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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