combustion

[ kuh m-buhs-chuh n ]
/ kəmˈbʌs tʃən /

noun

the act or process of burning.
Chemistry.
  1. rapid oxidation accompanied by heat and, usually, light.
  2. chemical combination attended by production of heat and light.
  3. slow oxidation not accompanied by high temperature and light.
violent excitement; tumult.

Origin of combustion

1400–50; late Middle English (< Middle French) < Late Latin combūstiōn- (stem of combūstiō). See combust, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM combustion

Example sentences from the Web for combustive

British Dictionary definitions for combustive

combustion
/ (kəmˈbʌstʃən) /

noun

the process of burning
any process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to produce a significant rise in temperature and the emission of light
a chemical process in which two compounds, such as sodium and chlorine, react together to produce heat and light
a process in which a compound reacts slowly with oxygen to produce little heat and no light

Derived forms of combustion

combustive, noun, adjective

Word Origin for combustion

C15: from Old French, from Latin combūrere to burn up, from com- (intensive) + ūrere to burn

Medical definitions for combustive

combustion
[ kəm-bŭschən ]

n.

The process of burning.
A chemical change, especially oxidation, accompanied by the production of heat and light.

Scientific definitions for combustive

combustion
[ kəm-bŭschən ]

The process of burning.
A chemical change, especially through the rapid combination of a substance with oxygen, producing heat and, usually, light. See also spontaneous combustion.

Cultural definitions for combustive

combustion

Burning; a chemical reaction that involves the rapid combination of a fuel with oxygen. (See oxidation and spontaneous combustion.)