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
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 2019 The most common contaminants have included arsenic, lead and substances that are a byproduct of combustion, both from nearby plants and auto exhaust. — Jon Murray, The Denver Post, "Denver’s Interstate 70 project is producing a whole lot of dirt," 5 July 2019 Advocates argue the up-front cost of an electric vehicle is getting closer to that of a combustion-engine vehicle -- and should fall even further as battery prices continue to decline. — oregonlive.com, "Cap and trade: What could Oregon’s carbon policy cost you?," 19 June 2019 The vast majority of scientists agree that increasing amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is heating the planet and that fossil fuel combustion is the primary driver. — oregonlive.com, "Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer joins Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders to push for emergency climate declaration," 9 July 2019 Electric vehicles offer nowhere near the same returns as combustion vehicles. — latimes.com, "Slow transition to electric cars dooms BMW chief Harald Krueger," 6 July 2019 Fossil fuel combustion is America's biggest source of greenhouse gases (GHGs). — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "New Green Deal, Explaind: What's Actually in the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Energy Plan?," 8 Feb. 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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