combustion
noun
com·bus·tion
| \ kəm-ˈbəs-chən
\
\
Definition of combustion
1
: an act or instance of burning
Smoke is produced during combustion.
2
: a usually rapid chemical process (such as oxidation) that produces heat and usually light
The carburetor mixes fuel with air for combustion.
also
: a slower oxidation (as in the body)
3
: violent agitation : tumult
… periods of great social combustion alternating with quiescence …— Kurt Andersen
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Other Words from combustion
combustive
\ kəm-ˈbə-stiv
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of combustion in a Sentence
Combustion may occur at high temperatures.
This ratio of air to fuel results in better combustion.
Recent Examples on the Web
Broadly speaking, e-cigarettes are considered less harmful than traditional cigarettes, which work through the combustion of tobacco that sends thousands of chemicals, many carcinogenic, into the lungs. — New York Times, "The Mysterious Vaping Illness That’s ‘Becoming an Epidemic’," 31 Aug. 2019 Broadly speaking, e-cigarettes are considered less harmful than traditional cigarettes, which work through the combustion of tobacco that sends thousands of chemicals, many carcinogenic, into the lungs. — Matt Richtel, BostonGlobe.com, "The mysterious vaping illness that’s ‘becoming an epidemic’," 31 Aug. 2019 Methane emissions of this magnitude, per unit of natural gas consumed, produce radiative forcing over a 20-year time horizon comparable to the CO2 from natural gas combustion. — David Roberts, Vox, "Fracking may be a bigger climate problem than we thought," 16 Aug. 2019 Peat fires produce much more carbon dioxide and methane from the combustion of carbon that has been locked in the ground for hundreds or thousands of years. — The Economist, "The Arctic is ablaze," 1 Aug. 2019 The very high temperatures required to drive the water out of limestone and transform it into portland cement also ensure the complete combustion of the rubber and fabric in tires. — Mike Allen, Popular Mechanics, "How to Dispose of Hazardous Waste Without Damaging the Environment," 9 Oct. 2018 In these conditions, normally green vegetation can convert into bone-dry, flammable fuel; strong winds spread fire quickly; and warm temperatures encourage combustion. — Claire Wolters, National Geographic, "Wildfires, explained," 11 Aug. 2019 Sunday’s celebration includes free afternoon admission to the Great Lakes Science Center, where shows will explore the properties of water and combustion. — USA TODAY, "Child rock climber, baby doll scare, real-life RoboCop: News from around our 50 states," 20 June 2019 The United States is one of the top emitters of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel combustion, according to the International Energy Agency. — Sophie Austin, orlandosentinel.com, "Climate change: Where 2020 Democratic candidates for president stand," 26 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'combustion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for combustion
combustion
noun
English Language Learners Definition of combustion
technical
: the act of burning
technical
: a chemical reaction that occurs when oxygen combines with other substances to produce heat and usually light
See the full definition for combustion in the English Language Learners Dictionary
combustion
noun
com·bus·tion
| \ kəm-ˈbəs-chən
\
\
Kids Definition of combustion
: the process of burning
combustion
noun
com·bus·tion
| \ kəm-ˈbəs-chən
\
\
Medical Definition of combustion
: a usually very rapid chemical process (as oxidation) that produces heat and usually light
also
: a slower oxidation (as in the body)
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