refuel

verb

re·​fu·​el (ˌ)rē-ˈfyü(-ə)l 

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

Reactors like Natrium will have to be refueled roughly every two years. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026

Both Blue Moon and Starship, for example, need to be refueled in Earth orbit before attempting a lunar touchdown. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

People queue to refuel their cars at a Gazpromneft petrol station in Yaroslavl on July 15, 2026. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

Spending a full day on-site requires plenty of refueling opportunities. — Hanlon Walsh, Midwest Living, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for refuel

• cruel
• dual
• duel
• fuel
• gruel
• jewel
• newel
• accrual
• nonfuel
• renewal
• biofuel
• contextual

Kids Definition

refuel

verb

re·​fu·​el (ˈ)rē-ˈfyü-əl 

: to provide with or take on more fuel