burner

noun

burn·​er ˈbər-nər 

plural burners

1

: one that burns: such as

a

: the part of a fuel-burning or heat-producing device (such as a furnace or stove) where the flame or heat is produced

b

: a device for recording data on an optical disk

2

: an athlete who possesses great speed

3

: burner phone

… I leaned over and checked the glove box. There were two cell phones in there, both pre-paid burners with a set number of pre-paid minutes, both still in their drugstore packaging, effectively untraceable if bought with cash …

—Lee Child

4

medical : stinger sense 4

He missed two games late in the season because of what athletic trainers call "cervical burners," a fairly appropriate description of the pain that would originate in Wadsworth's neck and shoot down his body.

—Emily Dorman

see also:

burner account

Examples of burner in a Sentence

The burner on the furnace isn't working.

The computer comes equipped with a CD burner.

Recent Examples on the Web

The gourmet kitchen has inset cabinetry, beam ceilings, an expansive island, a professional six-burner dual-oven range, dual dishwashers and a custom pizza oven. —Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026

For gas fireplaces, make sure the burner and logs are properly positioned and that the vents are unobstructed, as improper airflow can cause excess soot. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026

The galley features a similar slide-out dual-burner stove/sink as the outgoing Escape but adds more storage space with a row of narrow horizontal cabinets above the tall cabinets in the center. —New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2026

Grease and carbon buildup can be stubborn, especially on surfaces like stove burners that are exposed to high heat multiple times a day. —Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing burner

• back burner
• barn burner
• Bunsen burner
• burner account
• burner phone
• front burner
• on the back burner
• on the front burner

Rhymes for burner

• earner
• learner
• sterner
• afterburner

Kids Definition

burner

noun

burn·​er ˈbər-nər 

: one that burns: as

a

: the part of a fuel-burning or heat-producing device (as a furnace or stove) where a flame or heat is produced

b

: a device for recording data on an optical disk

Medical Definition

burner

noun

burn·​er ˈbər-nər 

: stinger sense 2