afterburner

American  

[af-ter-bur-ner, ahf-] / ˈæf tərˌbɜr nər, ˈɑf- /

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.

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afterburner British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of afterburner

First recorded in 1945–50; after + burner

Example Sentences

The jet blast from the afterburner can potentially damage the Reaper’s electronics, and Grynkewich said it reduced the drone operator’s ability to safely operate the aircraft.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 5, 2023

“Covid-19 just punched the afterburner on an already speeding jet” of popularity, he says.

From Washington Post • Oct. 8, 2020

Greco says the Air Force planned to track afterburner takeoffs, but didn’t announce what they would do if the estimates were off.

From Washington Times • Oct. 1, 2019

“The intercepting SU-27 made an additional pass, closing with the EP-3 and applying its afterburner while conducting a banking turn away.”

From Fox News • Nov. 5, 2018

When I tossed in the match, a cone of flame shot up with a whoosh like a jet afterburner.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls