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

The effect is even further fueled by our oceans, which absorb more than 90 percent of the heat caused by burning fossil fuels, producing water vapor that increases precipitation.

From Salon

A different mix of fuels with enhanced properties could overcome some of the major barriers to making fusion a more practical energy source, according to a new study.

From Science Daily

Mr Dujarric said access to the three barely functional hospitals there also remained severely restricted, amid what he called "desperate shortages" of medical supplies and fuel.

From BBC

A cabinet minister has said restricting winter fuel payments does not "sit easily" with him, after estimates it would increase poverty among pensioners.

From BBC

The government has also announced that it will start means-testing winter fuel payments, halting them for 10 million pensioners in England and Wales.

From BBC

Related Words

• feed
• incite
• inflame
• sustain