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

I won’t spoil how the play proceeds but it doesn’t so much conclude as combust.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

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

Even five World Cups in, she cannot hold back the tears at the national anthem, and looks like she will combust with passion at each wicket she claims.

From BBC • Nov. 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

Two cops enter the waiting room just as I’m about to spontaneously combust.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles