fuse
fyooz
Fuse (noun) means a safety device containing a component that melts to break an electrical circuit if the current is too high. Example: “The lights went out because a fuse had blown.”
noun
1
A safety device containing a component that melts to break an electrical circuit if the current is too high.
"The lights went out because a fuse had blown."
"Dad checked the fuse box after the kettle tripped the power."
"Always replace a blown fuse with one of the correct rating."
verb
1
To melt or blend together, especially under heat.
"The intense heat fused the metal pieces together."
"The two companies' cultures gradually fused into one."
"When you heat the two wires enough, they fuse into a single strand."
How to use fuse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA safety device that breaks an electrical circuit when overloaded, or (as a verb) to melt or blend things together.
Common pairings
blow a fuse
fuse together
fuse box
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Word forms
- Plural
- fuses
- Third person singular
- fuses
- Past tense
- fused
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lights went out because a _____ had blown.
Etymology
A back-formation from "fusion," originally used as a verb meaning "to melt."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fuse
See all rhymes for fuse →Frequently asked questions
What does “fuse” mean?
The word “fuse” means a safety device containing a component that melts to break an electrical circuit if the current is too high. In plain terms, a safety device that breaks an electrical circuit when overloaded, or (as a verb) to melt or blend things together.
How do you pronounce “fuse”?
“Fuse” is pronounced fyooz (/fjuːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “fuse” in a sentence?
Here is “fuse” used in a sentence: “The lights went out because a fuse had blown.”
What part of speech is “fuse”?
Depending on how it is used, “fuse” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “fuse” a common word?
“Fuse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “fuse” have?
“Fuse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a safety device containing a component that melts to break an electrical circuit if the current is too high.
What is the difference between a fuse and a circuit breaker?
A fuse is a safety device containing a component that melts and permanently breaks the circuit if the current is too high, so it must be replaced after it triggers. A circuit breaker performs a similar safety function but can simply be switched back on after tripping, without needing replacement.
What does it mean to fuse two things together?
As a verb, to fuse means to melt or blend two or more things together, especially under heat, so they combine into one. This sense is used both literally, such as fusing metals, and figuratively, such as fusing two ideas or styles.
