noun
carburetor
KAH-buh-reh-tuh
Carburetor (noun) means a device in an engine that mixes fuel with air before it is burned. Example: “The old truck's carburetor needed cleaning after sitting all winter.”
noun
1
A device in an engine that mixes fuel with air before it is burned.
"The old truck's carburetor needed cleaning after sitting all winter."
How to use carburetor
Learner’s notes
UK vs US
Spelled "carburettor" in British English, with a double t.
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Word forms
- Plural
- carburetors
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old truck's _____ needed cleaning after sitting all winter.
Etymology
From "carburet," an old chemistry term meaning to enrich with carbon, plus the agent suffix -or. First used for engines around 1896.
Class of 1896
carburetor joined the language around 1896.
See the full Class of 1896 →
Synonyms
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carburettor
Rhymes for carburetor
See all rhymes for carburetor →Frequently asked questions
What does “carburetor” mean?
The word “carburetor” means a device in an engine that mixes fuel with air before it is burned.
How do you pronounce “carburetor”?
“Carburetor” is pronounced KAH-buh-reh-tuh (/ˈkɑɹb(j)əˌɹeɪtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “carburetor” in a sentence?
Here is “carburetor” used in a sentence: “The old truck's carburetor needed cleaning after sitting all winter.”
What part of speech is “carburetor”?
“Carburetor” is a noun.
Where does the word “carburetor” come from?
The word “carburetor” dates back to around 1896. From "carburet," an old chemistry term meaning to enrich with carbon, plus the agent suffix -or. First used for engines around 1896.
