fuze

American  

[fyooz] / fyuz /

noun

1. a mechanical or electronic device to detonate an explosive charge, especially as contained in an artillery shell, a missile, projectile, or the like.

2. fuse.

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verb (used with object)

fuzed, fuzing

1. Also to attach a fuse or fuze to (a bomb, mine, etc.).

fuze British  

/ fjuːz /

noun

1. a variant spelling of fuse 1

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Etymology

Origin of fuze

First recorded in 1635–45; variant of fuse ¹

Example Sentences

“The likelihood that the M767A1 fuze malfunctioned is a statistical anomaly that was outside any reasonable probability.”

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

Just behind the nose is a shaped charge weighing 660 grams and consisting of a RDX/TNT mixture, which is detonated by an ADTS-583 impact fuze.

From Scientific American • Dec. 23, 2012

One which, from accident or bad fuze, has fallen without exploding, or one purposely filled with lead, as at the siege of Cadiz.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir