afterburner

[ af-ter-bur-ner, ahf- ]

noun

1. Aeronautics. a device placed within, or attached to the exit of, a jet-engine exhaust pipe to produce afterburning.
2. a device for burning exhaust fumes from an internal-combustion engine, as of an automobile.

afterburner

/ ˈɑːftəˌbɜːnə /

noun

1. a device in the exhaust system of an internal-combustion engine for removing or rendering harmless potentially dangerous components in the exhaust gases
2. a system of fuel injection and combustion located behind the turbine of an aircraft jet engine to produce additional thrust

Word History and Origins

Origin of afterburner¹

First recorded in 1945–50; after + burner

Example Sentences

College football fans are no doubt aware of Smith’s highlight reel catches, and the afterburners he can turn on at will against even the best corners.

From FiveThirtyEight

The good thing for our business is that digital has been on afterburners.

From Fortune