combustion
the act or process of burning.
Chemistry.
rapid oxidation accompanied by heat and, usually, light.
chemical combination attended by production of heat and light.
slow oxidation not accompanied by high temperature and light.
violent excitement; tumult.
Origin of combustion
1Other words from combustion
- com·bus·tive, adjective
- non·com·bus·tion, noun
- non·com·bus·tive, adjective
- pre·com·bus·tion, noun
- self-com·bus·tion, noun
- un·com·bus·tive, adjective
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British Dictionary definitions for combustion
/ (kəmˈbʌstʃən) /
the process of burning
any process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to produce a significant rise in temperature and the emission of light
a chemical process in which two compounds, such as sodium and chlorine, react together to produce heat and light
a process in which a compound reacts slowly with oxygen to produce little heat and no light
Origin of combustion
1Derived forms of combustion
- combustive, noun, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for combustion
[ kəm-bŭs′chən ]
The process of burning.
A chemical change, especially through the rapid combination of a substance with oxygen, producing heat and, usually, light. See also spontaneous combustion.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for combustion
Burning; a chemical reaction that involves the rapid combination of a fuel with oxygen. (See oxidation and spontaneous combustion.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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