fuel

[ fyoo-uhl ]

noun

1. combustible matter used to maintain fire, as coal, wood, oil, or gas, in order to create heat or power.
2. something that gives nourishment; food.
3. an energy source for engines, power plants, or reactors:

   Kerosene is used as jet engine fuel.

4. something that sustains or encourages; stimulant:

   Our discussion provided him with fuel for debate.

   Synonyms: stimulus, impetus, sustenance, ammunition

verb (used with object)

, fu·eled, fu·el·ing or (especially British) fu·elled, fu·el·ling.

1. to supply with fuel.

verb (used without object)

, fu·eled, fu·el·ing or (especially British) fu·elled, fu·el·ling.

1. to obtain or replenish fuel.

fuel

/ fjʊəl /

noun

1. any substance burned as a source of heat or power, such as coal or petrol
2. 1. the material, containing a fissile substance, such as uranium-235, that produces energy in a nuclear reactor
   2. a substance that releases energy in a fusion reactor
3. something that nourishes or builds up emotion, action, etc

verb

1. to supply with or receive fuel

fuel

/ fyo̅o̅′əl /

1. A substance that produces useful energy when it undergoes a chemical or nuclear reaction. Fuel such as coal, wood, oil, or gas provides energy when burned. Compounds in the body such as glucose are broken down into simpler compounds to provide energy for metabolic processes. Some radioactive substances, such as plutonium and tritium, provide energy by undergoing nuclear fission or fusion.

Derived Forms

• ˈfueller, noun

Other Words From

• fuel·er (especially British) fuel·ler noun
• de·fuel verb (used with object) defueled defueling or (especially British) defuelled defuelling
• non·fuel adjective
• un·fueled (especially British) un·fuelled adjective
• well-fueled (especially British) well-fuelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fuel¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English feuel, fuel(le), from Old French feuaile, from Vulgar Latin focālia (unrecorded), neuter plural of focālis (unrecorded) “of the hearth, fuel,” from Latin focus “hearth” ( focus ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fuel¹

C14: from Old French feuaile , from feu fire, ultimately from Latin focus fireplace, hearth

Idioms and Phrases

see add fuel to the fire .

Example Sentences

She added that the decision to cut the winter fuel payments was "not a decision this government wanted or expected to take".

From BBC

The cold weather payment is a government benefit top-up to help with fuel bills, external.

From BBC

Just in: The retailing giant raised its sales outlook for the year, after a strong quarter fueled by surging e-commerce activity and robust demand from higher-income consumers.

From New York Times

These include lowering energy costs through more fossil fuel production and appointing the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, to slash government spending.

From Los Angeles Times

Scottish Labour will expand eligibility for the winter fuel payment if they form the next Scottish government, leader Anas Sarwar has said.

From BBC

Related Words

• feed
• incite
• inflame
• sustain