combust
Americanverb (used with or without object)
adjective
verb
Etymology
Origin of combust
1325–75; Middle English < Latin combūstus (past participle of combūrere to burn up, equivalent to com- com- + -ūs- variant stem of ūrere to burn + -tus past participle suffix; -b- by misanalysis of ambūrere, another derivative, as am- + -būrere )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This triggers a process called thermal runaway, where rapidly rising temperatures cause the battery to spontaneously combust.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
If they overheat or combust in your checked bag in the cargo area of a plane, it may take a while for anyone to notice.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2025
The devices contain lithium-ion batteries which, when damaged, can spontaneously combust.
From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2025
"Modern landfill facilities already capture, upgrade and combust their gas emissions for electricity generation, however, our process creates a much more environmentally impactful and commercially valuable product," he said.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 30, 2024
Most of the other beastkeepers were still staring in bewilderment at the place where the candle had been; a few were looking around it trying to find what had caused it to combust.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
