fuze
Americannoun
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a mechanical or electronic device to detonate an explosive charge, especially as contained in an artillery shell, a missile, projectile, or the like.
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fuse.
verb (used with object)
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fuzes,
present (3rd person singular)
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fuzed,
past participle, past
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fuzing
present participle
noun
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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fuzesimple
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fuzessimple
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have fuzedperfect
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has fuzedperfect
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am fuzingprogressive
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are fuzingprogressive
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is fuzingprogressive
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have been fuzingperfect progressive
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has been fuzingperfect progressive
Past
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fuzedsimple
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had fuzedperfect
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was fuzingprogressive
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were fuzingprogressive
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had been fuzingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of fuze
First recorded in 1635–45; variant of fuse 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Madis system combines radar, Stinger missiles, electronic warfare, and cannons firing specialized 30mm proximity fuze rounds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026
The report states that the fuze that was used in the exercise is “extremely reliable” and had only one previous recorded malfunction, in 2017.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 16, 2026
While the Kansas City National Security Campus is producing and assembling the fuze, Sandia is manufacturing some of the parts.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 23, 2024
Raytheon AIM-9X weapons developers explain that the Block 2 variant adds a redesigned fuze and a digital ignition safety device that enhances ground handling and in-flight safety.
From Fox News ● Jun. 1, 2020
The safety fuze used in the British service burns at the rate of about 3 ft. a minute.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6 "Foraminifera" to "Fox, Edward" by Various
L3Harris, which makes fuzes for 30mm ammunition, is “rapidly scaling to meet the growing demand across a range of fuzes,” a spokeswoman for the Florida-based company said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026
“Proximity fuzes are precision electromechanical devices, and the lines that build them at scale are few,” Sawyers said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026
Air Force budget documents provided to Congress describe it as a “form, fit, and functionally equivalent replacement” for existing nuclear warhead fuzes.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 29, 2021
Still more pried open boxes holding switches and fuzes.
From New York Times ● Jan. 26, 2012
For blasting in coal, “squibs” instead of fuzes are often used.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 1 "Bisharin" to "Bohea" by Various
The thing wasn't fuzed for impact, then, but for time; and the activating mechanism would be shell-and shock-proof.
From Triplanetary by E. E. (Edward Elmer) Smith
All XV-in. shell shall be fitted with three fuze-holes, and issued for service fuzed with 3 1/2, 5, and 7 seconds fuzes.
From Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition. by United States. Navy Dept. Bureau of Ordnance
No shell shall be fuzed unless it has been filled.
From Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition. by United States. Navy Dept. Bureau of Ordnance
And Walt, using the focus rod for power, fuzed the control panel in an instant beyond all use.
From Earth Alert! by Kris Neville
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
