combust

American  

[kuhm-buhst] / kəmˈbʌst /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to burn.

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combust British  

/ kəmˈbʌst /

adjective

1. astrology (of a star or planet) invisible for a period between 24 and 30 days each year due to its proximity to the sun

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verb

1. chem to burn

Etymology

Origin of combust

1325–75; Middle English < Latin combūstus (past participle of combūrere to burn up, equivalent to com- com- + -ūs- variant stem of ūrere to burn + -tus past participle suffix; -b- by misanalysis of ambūrere, another derivative, as am- + -būrere )

Example Sentences

But they have downsides—costly materials, a China-dominated supply chain that concerns Western governments and a tendency to combust if you’re not careful.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

The devices contain lithium-ion batteries which, when damaged, can spontaneously combust.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2025

"Modern landfill facilities already capture, upgrade and combust their gas emissions for electricity generation, however, our process creates a much more environmentally impactful and commercially valuable product," he said.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2024

Directed by Luca Guadagnino, the tennis drama stars Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor as longtime friends whose relationships combust on and off the court.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2024

She avoids my stare, probably because she knows I'm imagining they are lasers and whatever I look at will be forced to spontaneously combust.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman