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

combustive

kəm-ˈbə-stiv 

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

This year is likely to be the hottest year humans have ever experienced, with global average temperatures more than 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) higher than the era prior to the widespread combustion of fossil fuels. —Umair Irfan, Vox, 28 Dec. 2024

Much Safer: With no liquid electrolyte, these batteries are far less prone to combustion. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024

That Dodge will be using the exact same chassis with all the same dimensions for next year’s internal combustion version, dubbed the Charger SIXPACK, should prove interesting. —Karl Brauer, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Tesla deliveries are below expectations, Volvo has moved back its 2030 100% EV timeline, General Motors abandoned its 1-million-vehicle 2025 sales goal, and Ford has shifted some EV production back to internal combustion vehicles, the note reported. —Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English combustioun "burning, calcination," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French combustion, borrowed from Late Latin combustiōn-, combustiō "burning up (of the dead or by the fires in hell)," from Latin combus-, variant stem of combūrere "to destroy with fire, reduce to ashes" + -tiōn-, tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at combust

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing combustion

• combustion chamber
• combustion engine
• external combustion engine
• internal combustion engine
• pre-combustion
• spontaneous combustion

Kids 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)