2
a
: affecting with or as if with heat
a burning fever
b
: resembling that produced by a burn
a burning sensation on the tongue
3
: of fundamental importance : urgent
one of the burning issues of our time
Examples of burning in a Sentence
She stared at the burning embers for a long time.
a burning hatred of corruption
The medicine produced a burning sensation on my tongue.
Symptoms include itchy, burning eyes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?
—
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 13 Aug. 2025
Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 26 June 2025
As in most burning issues, there is no absolutely right or wrong answer.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025
Tom Cruise has been awarded the Guinness World Record for most burning parachute jumps by an individual, netting a whopping 16 flaming jumps while filming Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for burning
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Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 13 Aug. 2025
Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 26 June 2025
As in most burning issues, there is no absolutely right or wrong answer.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025
Tom Cruise has been awarded the Guinness World Record for most burning parachute jumps by an individual, netting a whopping 16 flaming jumps while filming Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for burning
Cite this Entry
“Burning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burning. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
burning
1 of 2 adjective
burn·ing
ˈbər-niŋ 
1
: affecting with or as if with heat
a burning fever
2
: resembling that produced by a burn
a burning sensation on the tongue
burning
2 of 2 noun
: a sensation of being on fire or excessively heated
gastric burning
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