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

During this nine-hour mission, the Typhoon and F-35 jet refuel seven times - taking on a total of 30 tonnes of aviation fuel.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

Stratotankers have been flying since the 1950s, when their primary mission was to refuel long-range nuclear bombers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Everybody helped refuel the planes by carrying cans from the trucks to the aircraft; the armorers had to carry the bombs out to the Po-2s by hand as well.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein