combustion
kuhm-BUHS-chuhn
Combustion (noun) means the chemical process of burning, in which a substance reacts with oxygen to release heat and light. Example: “Combustion inside the engine's cylinders drives the pistons.”
noun
1
The chemical process of burning, in which a substance reacts with oxygen to release heat and light.
"Combustion inside the engine's cylinders drives the pistons."
"Incomplete combustion produces carbon monoxide as well as carbon dioxide."
"The science teacher showed how combustion needs fuel, heat and a supply of oxygen."
How to use combustion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe scientific process of burning — fuel reacting with oxygen to release energy.
Common pairings
internal combustion engine
combustion chamber
spontaneous combustion
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like combustion.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- combustions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ inside the engine's cylinders drives the pistons.
Etymology
From Old French combustion, from Latin combustio, from comburere ("to burn up").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for combustion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for combustion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “combustion” mean?
The word “combustion” means the chemical process of burning, in which a substance reacts with oxygen to release heat and light. In plain terms, the scientific process of burning — fuel reacting with oxygen to release energy.
How do you pronounce “combustion”?
“Combustion” is pronounced kuhm-BUHS-chuhn (/kəmˈbʌs.t͡ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “combustion” in a sentence?
Here is “combustion” used in a sentence: “Combustion inside the engine's cylinders drives the pistons.”
What part of speech is “combustion”?
“Combustion” is a noun.
Where does the word “combustion” come from?
The word “combustion” comes from Latin. From Old French combustion, from Latin combustio, from comburere ("to burn up").
Is “combustion” a common word?
“Combustion” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
What is the difference between combustion and fire?
Combustion is the underlying chemical reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen to release heat and light, while fire is the visible, physical result of that reaction. Every fire involves combustion, but combustion can also occur without visible flame, as in slow oxidation.
What are the different types of combustion?
Combustion is generally described as complete, where a substance burns fully with plenty of oxygen and produces mainly carbon dioxide and water, or incomplete, where limited oxygen leads to byproducts like carbon monoxide and soot. Engineers and scientists also distinguish rapid combustion, such as an explosion, from slow combustion, such as rusting.
What is needed for combustion to occur?
Combustion requires a fuel, an oxidizer (usually oxygen), and enough heat to start the reaction, a combination often called the fire triangle. Remove any one of these three elements and the combustion process stops.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include combustion:
