plural fans
: a machine or device that is used to move the air and make people or things cooler: such as
a
: a flat device that is held in your hand and waved back and forth in front of your face
b
: an electrical machine that has turning blades
The engine was cooled by an electric fan.
fans; fanned; fanning
1
: to move air on or toward (someone or something) with a fan
He fanned himself with a newspaper while he waited for the bus.
Note: To fan a fire is literally to blow air onto a fire so that it will burn more strongly. In figurative use the phrase fan the fires/flames means to make an emotional situation more dangerous, so that people become angrier and more likely to act in a violent way.
2
baseball, informal
: to strike out
The pitcher has fanned six batters in the first three innings.
The batter fanned on a curveball.
plural fans
: a person who likes and admires someone (such as a famous person) or something (such as a sport or a sports team) in a very enthusiastic way
I am a huge baseball fan.
sports fans
He's her biggest/greatest fan.
He is not a fan of insurance companies. [=he doesn't like insurance companies]
Cite this Entry
“Fan.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/fan. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
