refuel

American  

[ree-fyoo-uhl] / riˈfyu əl /

verb (used with object)

refueled, refueling, refuelled, refuelling

1. to supply again with fuel.

   to refuel an airplane.

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verb (used without object)

refueled, refueling, refuelled, refuelling

1. to take on a fresh supply of fuel.

   The plane refueled at Paris and flew on.

refuel British  

/ riːˈfjuːəl /

verb

1. to supply or be supplied with fresh fuel

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Other Word Forms

• nonrefueling adjective
• nonrefuelling adjective
• refuelable adjective
• unrefueled adjective

Etymology

Origin of refuel

First recorded in 1805–15; re- + fuel

Example Sentences

One key feature is the ability to refuel in orbit.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

“Airlines will refuel where they can, at the cheapest source,” Fyall said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

KC-135s are some of the oldest model tankers in use by the military and are used to refuel other aircrafts midair.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

A US Navy warship collided into a Navy supply vessel during a refuel operation, the US military's Southern Command confirmed to the BBC.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

One by one, each aircrew dropped their bombs and then returned to their intermediate airfield to refuel.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein