often attributive
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
fueled or fuelled; fueling or fuelling
1
: to provide with fuel
: to take in fuel
—often used with up
Examples of fuel in a Sentence
Noun
I had the fuel pump replaced on my car.
These latest scandals will provide further fuel for his political opponents.
These latest accusations will only add fuel to the controversy.
The controversy continues to rage, and these latest accusations will only add fuel to the fire.
Verb
The airplanes were fueled in midair.
The criticism she has faced has only fueled her determination to succeed.
Inflation was fueled by high prices.
The strong economy has fueled the construction of new homes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
With millions of additional packages moving through the system daily, the USPS temporarily raises prices to offset higher transportation, labor, and fuel costs.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
After several downpours fueled by tropical moisture from the Pacific Ocean, Arizona’s short-term drought has finally eased, at least a little.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fuel
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show current usage.
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Noun
This includes the engine’s cylinder heads, valves, pistons, fuel system pipes, machine gun components, fuselage, the wings and the cockpit panel pieces, according to the BBC.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
With millions of additional packages moving through the system daily, the USPS temporarily raises prices to offset higher transportation, labor, and fuel costs.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Macquarie’s head of economics, David Doyle, also speaking exclusively to Fortune, warned that this stimulus could fuel overheating by 2026 if inflation rebounds.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
After several downpours fueled by tropical moisture from the Pacific Ocean, Arizona’s short-term drought has finally eased, at least a little.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fuel
Cite this Entry
“Fuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuel. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fuel
1 of 2 noun
fu·el
ˈfyü(-ə)l 
1
a
: a material used to produce heat or power by burning
b
: a material from which atomic energy can be produced especially in a reactor
2
: a source of energy
fuel
2 of 2 verb
fueled or fuelled; fueling or fuelling
: to supply with or take in fuel
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