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

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

"It was quite shocking really. You do see flames called an afterburner, which they use to take off," Mr Simpson said.

From BBC • Jul. 22, 2021

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

Rage blazed up in him often, but its atoms were too active for preservation and its life span was brief like the kick and the flame of an afterburner in his father’s F-8.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy