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
SYNONYMS FOR fuel
OTHER WORDS FROM fuel
Words nearby fuel
Example sentences from the Web for fuel
British Dictionary definitions for fuel
fuel
/ (fjʊəl) /
noun
any substance burned as a source of heat or power, such as coal or petrol
- the material, containing a fissile substance, such as uranium-235, that produces energy in a nuclear reactor
- 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, nounWord Origin for fuel
C14: from Old French
feuaile, from
feu fire, ultimately from Latin
focus fireplace, hearth
Scientific definitions for fuel
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 fuel
fuel
see add fuel to the fire.