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

Vance, who has been dispatched by Trump to lead the US delegation, stopped briefly in Paris for his plane to refuel before flying on to Pakistan.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

One key feature is the ability to refuel in orbit.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

President Ferdinand Marcos also said that grounding planes due to a shortage of fuel is a "distinct possibility" after some of the country's airlines were told that they cannot refuel their jets abroad.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

Yelena replied that engineers weren’t allowed to refuel planes—the mechanics were supposed to do it.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein