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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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of afterburner

First recorded in 1945–50; after + burner

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.

See Examples For:

In a statement, Grynkewich said one of the Russian pilots moved their aircraft in front of a drone and engaged the SU-35’s afterburner, which greatly increases its speed and air pressure.

From Seattle Times Jul. 5, 2023

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

It is known by the name "afterburner" in European markets.

From BBC Jul. 26, 2017

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

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