Bunsen

American

[buhn-suhn, boon-zuhn] / ˈbʌn sən, ˈbʊn zən /

noun

Robert Wilhelm 1811–99, German chemist.

Bunsen British

/ ˈbʌnsən, ˈbʊnzən /

noun

Robert Wilhelm (ˈroːbɛrt ˈvɪlhɛlm). 1811–99, German chemist who with Kirchhoff developed spectrum analysis and discovered the elements caesium and rubidium. He invented the Bunsen burner and the ice calorimeter

"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

Bunsen Scientific

/ bŭn′sən /

German chemist who with Gustav Kirchhoff developed the technique of spectroscopic analysis, leading to their discovery of the elements cesium and rubidium. Bunsen also invented various kinds of laboratory equipment, although the Bunsen burner itself was probably constructed on an earlier design by Michael Faraday.

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.

While it's been brought up to date for 2026, veteran performers also take part - including Dave Goelz, the original actor portraying Gonzo and Dr Bunsen Honeydew.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

Throw on a lab coat, spark a Bunsen burner, and stay close to the eyewash station, but hopefully it won’t come to that.

From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025

Bunsen died at the age of 88 in 1899.

From Scientific American • Jul. 1, 2023

A chemistry lab looks like it belongs to Bunsen and Beaker.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2022

“I’m only moving if I can have a science lab in the new place. With a Bunsen burner. And new Erlenmeyer flasks,” Jessie said stubbornly.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023