combustion

[kuhm-buhs-chuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of burning.

2. Chemistry.

   1. rapid oxidation accompanied by heat and, usually, light.

   2. chemical combination attended by production of heat and light.

   3. slow oxidation not accompanied by high temperature and light.

3. violent excitement; tumult.

combustion

/ kəmˈbʌstʃən /

noun

1. the process of burning

2. any process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to produce a significant rise in temperature and the emission of light

3. a chemical process in which two compounds, such as sodium and chlorine, react together to produce heat and light

4. a process in which a compound reacts slowly with oxygen to produce little heat and no light

combustion

1. The process of burning.

2. A chemical change, especially through the rapid combination of a substance with oxygen, producing heat and, usually, light.

3. See also spontaneous combustion

combustion

1. Burning; a chemical reaction that involves the rapid combination of a fuel with oxygen. (See oxidation and spontaneous combustion.)

Other Word Forms

• combustive adjective
• noncombustion noun
• noncombustive adjective
• precombustion noun
• self-combustion noun
• uncombustive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of combustion¹

1400–50; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Late Latin combūstiōn- (stem of combūstiō ). See combust, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of combustion¹

C15: from Old French, from Latin combūrere to burn up, from com- (intensive) + ūrere to burn

Example Sentences

Porsche has cut guidance several times this year, warning of hits from U.S. import tariffs, investments in new combustion engines and hybrid models amid the slow uptake of EVs and fierce competition in China.

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The news comes as Ferrari scaled back it electric-vehicle ambitions while guiding to a model lineup that will include a greater share of combustion engine models compared to previous forecasts.

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EVs on average contain about 150 pounds more of aluminum than internal combustion engine cars, according to a report from CRU Group.

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The heat and combustion appear before her, then they are gone; it’s all over so quickly.

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Ferrari, perhaps more than any other automaker, has built its brand on internal combustion engines.

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Related Words

• ignition