fuel

[ fyoo-uhl ]
/ ˈfyu əl /

noun

combustible matter used to maintain fire, as coal, wood, oil, or gas, in order to create heat or power.
something that gives nourishment; food.
an energy source for engines, power plants, or reactors: Kerosene is used as jet engine fuel.
something that sustains or encourages; stimulant: Our discussion provided him with fuel for debate.

verb (used with object), fu·eled, fu·el·ing or (especially British) fu·elled, fu·el·ling.

to supply with fuel.

verb (used without object), fu·eled, fu·el·ing or (especially British) fu·elled, fu·el·ling.

to obtain or replenish fuel.

Origin of fuel

1300–50; Middle English fuel(le), feuel < Old French feuaile < Vulgar Latin *focālia, neuter plural of *focālis of the hearth, fuel. See focus, -al1

SYNONYMS FOR fuel

4 ammunition, sustenance, impetus, stimulus.

OTHER WORDS FROM fuel

Words nearby fuel

fuddy-duddy, fudge, fudge factor, fuegian, fuehrer, fuel, fuel air bomb, fuel cell, fuel element, fuel injection, fuel injector

British Dictionary definitions for defuel

fuel
/ (fjʊəl) /

noun

any substance burned as a source of heat or power, such as coal or petrol
  1. the material, containing a fissile substance, such as uranium-235, that produces energy in a nuclear reactor
  2. a substance that releases energy in a fusion reactor
something that nourishes or builds up emotion, action, etc

verb fuels, fuelling or fuelled or US fuels, fueling or fueled

to supply with or receive fuel

Derived forms of fuel

fueller or US fueler, noun

Word Origin for fuel

C14: from Old French feuaile, from feu fire, ultimately from Latin focus fireplace, hearth

Scientific definitions for defuel

fuel
[ fyōō′əl ]

A substance that produces useful energy when it undergoes a chemical or nuclear reaction. Fuel such as coal, wood, oil, or gas provides energy when burned. Compounds in the body such as glucose are broken down into simpler compounds to provide energy for metabolic processes. Some radioactive substances, such as plutonium and tritium, provide energy by undergoing nuclear fission or fusion.

Idioms and Phrases with defuel

fuel

see add fuel to the fire.