ignite

verb

ig·​nite ig-ˈnīt How to pronounce ignite (audio)
ignited; igniting

transitive verb

1
a
: to set afire
also : kindle
b
: to cause (a fuel) to burn
2
: to subject to fire or intense heat
especially : to render luminous by heat
3
a
: to heat up : excite
oppression that ignited the hatred of the people
b
: to set in motion : spark
ignite a debate

intransitive verb

1
: to catch fire
2
: to begin to glow
ignitability noun
ignitable adjective
or less commonly ignitible
igniter noun
or less commonly ignitor

Examples of ignite in a Sentence

The fire was ignited by sparks. The paper ignited on contact with sparks. a material that ignites easily Three wins in a row ignited the team. His proposal is igniting opposition.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During the protests ignited by the murder of George Floyd in 2020, demonstrators in Denver toppled a controversial Christopher Columbus statue and the city proactively removed a Kit Carson statue, both of which officials said will not be replaced out of respect for the Native community. Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024 Smoke was also limiting visibility and slowing traffic on the busy U.S. 101 freeway, south of the state route, the department said on X. High winds caused spot fires to ignite 2½ miles away in front of the site of the original blaze, Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said. Phil Helsel, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024 There is no fuel to ignite, and ammunition may be nearby but not close enough to cause damage if detonated. David Hambling, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 Additionally, agents are suspected of using self-combustible packages, designed to ignite in transit, to carry out arson attacks across EU nations and the United Kingdom. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ignite 

Word History

Etymology

Latin ignitus, past participle of ignire to ignite, from ignis

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ignite was in 1666

Dictionary Entries Near ignite

Cite this Entry

“Ignite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignite. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ignite

verb
ig·​nite ig-ˈnīt How to pronounce ignite (audio)
ignited; igniting
1
a
: to set on fire : light
b
: to cause (a fuel mixture) to burn
2
: to catch fire
3
: to set in motion : spark
ignite a debate
ignitable
-ˈnīt-ə-bəl
adjective
igniter noun
also ignitor

More from Merriam-Webster on ignite

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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