combustion
noun
com·bus·tion
kəm-ˈbəs-chən 
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
Kurt AndersenExamples 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
The filing also details TVA's compliance with environmental regulations, including the management of coal combustion residuals and the implementation of a groundwater monitoring program.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Flaring, or the destruction of methane by combustion, is a way to ensure that the gas is destroyed and can’t reach the atmosphere while providing less expensive, renewable energy for local communities.
—Dee Lawrence, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Finally, the car releases spent combustion gases to the atmosphere through its tailpipe.
—Michael Leamy, Discover Magazine, 2 Nov. 2024
The two planetary boundary processes stratospheric ozone depletion (the loss of the ozone layer due to chemicals like CFCs) and atmospheric aerosol loading (primarily driven by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels) are currently within the green zone at a global scale.
—Johan Rockström, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
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Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Flaring, or the destruction of methane by combustion, is a way to ensure that the gas is destroyed and can’t reach the atmosphere while providing less expensive, renewable energy for local communities.
—Dee Lawrence, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Finally, the car releases spent combustion gases to the atmosphere through its tailpipe.
—Michael Leamy, Discover Magazine, 2 Nov. 2024
The two planetary boundary processes stratospheric ozone depletion (the loss of the ozone layer due to chemicals like CFCs) and atmospheric aerosol loading (primarily driven by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels) are currently within the green zone at a global scale.
—Johan Rockström, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for combustion
Dictionary Entries Near combustion
Cite this Entry
“Combustion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combustion. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
combustion
noun
com·bus·tion
kəm-ˈbəs-chən
1
: an act or instance of burning
2
: a chemical process in which substances combine with oxygen
Medical Definition
combustion
noun
com·bus·tion
kəm-ˈbəs-chən
: 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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