fuel

[fyoo-uhl]

noun

1. combustible matter used to maintain fire, as coal, wood, oil, or gas, in order to create heat or power.

2. something that gives nourishment; food.

3. an energy source for engines, power plants, or reactors.

   Kerosene is used as jet engine fuel.

4. something that sustains or encourages; stimulant.

   Our discussion provided him with fuel for debate.

   Synonyms: stimulus, impetus, sustenance, ammunition

verb (used with object)

fueled, fueling , fuelled, fuelling .

1. to supply with fuel.

verb (used without object)

fueled, fueling , fuelled, fuelling .

1. to obtain or replenish fuel.

fuel

/ fjʊəl /

noun

1. any substance burned as a source of heat or power, such as coal or petrol

2. 1. the material, containing a fissile substance, such as uranium-235, that produces energy in a nuclear reactor

   2. a substance that releases energy in a fusion reactor

3. something that nourishes or builds up emotion, action, etc

verb

1. to supply with or receive fuel

fuel

1. A substance that produces useful energy when it undergoes a chemical or nuclear reaction. Fuel such as coal, wood, oil, or gas provides energy when burned. Compounds in the body such as glucose are broken down into simpler compounds to provide energy for metabolic processes. Some radioactive substances, such as plutonium and tritium, provide energy by undergoing nuclear fission or fusion.

Other Word Forms

• fueler noun
• defuel verb (used with object)
• nonfuel adjective
• unfueled adjective
• well-fueled adjective
• fueller noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fuel¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English feuel, fuel(le), from Old French feuaile, from Vulgar Latin focālia (unrecorded), neuter plural of focālis (unrecorded) “of the hearth, fuel,” from Latin focus “hearth” ( focus ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fuel¹

C14: from Old French feuaile , from feu fire, ultimately from Latin focus fireplace, hearth

Idioms and Phrases

see add fuel to the fire.

Example Sentences

He says: "We repeatedly found seedlings and adults with juvenile root structures near decaying logs, not scattered randomly in the forest. That recurring pattern inspired us to test whether deadwood fungi fuel orchid beginnings."

From Science Daily

Ukraine has dramatically increased the number of attacks launched against Russian oil refineries in recent months, sparking fuel shortages and price rises in some parts of the country, the BBC has found.

From BBC

And once such a fire breaks out, it is particularly hard to fight because of how readily available fuel is within a refinery, said Casey Snow, El Segundo Fire Department division chief.

From Los Angeles Times

As rising air pollution fuels persistent coughs, they are increasingly misused for routine respiratory infections.

From BBC

Paisley says there are people who are fuelling a damaging "culture war".

From BBC

Related Words

• ammunition 
• electricity 
• food 
• gas 
• material