afterburner

American  

[af-ter-bur-ner, ahf-] / ˈæf tərˌbɜr nər, ˈɑf- /

noun

1. Aeronautics. a device placed within, or attached to the exit of, a jet-engine exhaust pipe to produce afterburning.

2. a device for burning exhaust fumes from an internal-combustion engine, as of an automobile.

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afterburner British  

/ ˈɑːftəˌbɜːnə /

noun

1. a device in the exhaust system of an internal-combustion engine for removing or rendering harmless potentially dangerous components in the exhaust gases

2. a system of fuel injection and combustion located behind the turbine of an aircraft jet engine to produce additional thrust

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Etymology

Origin of afterburner

First recorded in 1945–50; after + burner

Example Sentences

Greco says the Air Force planned to track afterburner takeoffs, but didn’t announce what they would do if the estimates were off.

From Washington Times • Oct. 1, 2019

“The intercepting SU-27 made an additional pass, closing with the EP-3 and applying its afterburner while conducting a banking turn away.”

From Fox News • Nov. 5, 2018

It is known by the name "afterburner" in European markets.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2017

It reminded me of the “Insane” mode in the Tesla, as if Nate had lit an afterburner.

From Washington Post • Apr. 3, 2016

He heard the afterburner of the jet kick off, the plane bank to the right and fade like a sliver of light into a blue sky.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy