ignite

[ig-nahyt]

verb (used with object)

ignited, igniting 

1. to set on fire; kindle.

2. Chemistry.,  to heat intensely; roast.

verb (used without object)

ignited, igniting 

1. to take fire; begin to burn.

ignite

/ ɪɡˈnaɪt /

verb

1. to catch fire or set fire to; burn or cause to burn

2. (tr) chem to heat strongly

3. (tr) to stimulate or provoke

   the case has ignited a nationwide debate

Other Word Forms

• ignitable adjective
• ignitible adjective
• ignitability noun
• ignitibility noun
• nonignitability noun
• nonignitable adjective
• nonignitibility noun
• nonignitible adjective
• reignite verb (used with object)
• unignitable adjective
• unignited adjective
• unigniting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignite¹

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin ignītus “set on fire,” past participle of ignīre “to set on fire,” from ign(is) “fire” + -īre, infinitive verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignite¹

C17: from Latin ignīre to set alight, from ignis fire

Synonym Study

See kindle ¹.

Example Sentences

The Eaton Fire, ignited the same day in the Los Angeles area, killed another 19 people and destroyed about 9,400 structures, officials said.

Read more on BBC

Similarly, the report into the January firestorms stressed that the Eaton blaze ignited near the end of a day that L.A.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A key concern is ensuring that remaining fuel on the helicopter does not ignite as the Fire Department and California Highway Patrol investigate the crash, he added.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

An explosion on Thursday night ignited massive flames at the El Segundo refinery.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Most important, though, was that protests like these came to the conclusion that all PR is indeed good PR — which kicked off an era of advertising specifically meant to ignite a culture war.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• burn 
• inflame 
• kindle