First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1fuel
noun, fu·el often attributive \ˈfyü(-ə)l\
: a material (such as coal, oil, or gas) that is burned to produce heat or power
: something that gives support or strength to something (such as argument or angry feelings)
Full Definition of FUEL
1
a : a material used to produce heat or power by burning b : nutritive material c : a material from which atomic energy can be liberated especially in a reactor
2
: a source of sustenance or incentive : reinforcement
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Origin of FUEL
Middle English fewel, from Anglo-French fuail, feuaile, from Vulgar Latin *focalia, from Latin focus hearth
2fuel
verb
: to supply (something) with fuel
: to take in fuel
: to give support or strength to (something)
fueled or fuelledfuel·ing or fuel·ling
Full Definition of FUEL
transitive verb
1
: to provide with fuel
intransitive verb
: to take in fuel —often used with up
See fuel defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FUEL
1592
FUEL Defined for Kids
1fuel
noun fu·el \ˈfyü-əl\
Definition of FUEL for Kids
: a substance (as oil or gasoline) that can be burned to produce heat or power
2fuel
verb
fu·eled or fu·elledfu·el·ing or fu·el·ling
Definition of FUEL for Kids
: to supply with or take on fuel
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