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

Trump’s novice Defense secretary pick and report of a planned ‘warrior board’ fuel concerns in some circles over the sanctity of the military’s apolitical traditions.

From Los Angeles Times

That came days after the BBC reported that a senior Azerbaijani official appeared to have used his role at COP to arrange a meeting to discuss potential fossil fuel deals.

From BBC

Personal testimony from all sides fuel a five-part look on PBS by director James Bluemel at Northern Ireland over 30 years of political and sectarian violence.

From Los Angeles Times

In apparent response to the GOP wins, small-cap stocks, along with financial and traditional energy sectors — including oil, gas and coal — performed particularly well following the election and may continue to benefit from anticipated new policies, such as corporate tax cuts, reduced regulatory oversight for financial institutions and fewer environmental restrictions on fossil fuel production.

From Salon

No, that’s not a headline from The Onion, though it’s bound to be fuel for ongoing skits on “Saturday Night Live.”

From Salon

Related Words

• feed
• incite
• inflame
• sustain