combustion

/kəmˈbʌstʃən/

/kəmˈbʌstʃɪn/

Other forms: combustions

Combustion means "the act of burning," like the combustion of fallen leaves that, if not extinguished immediately, can result in a forest fire.

Combustion derives from the Latin word comburere, which means "to burn up." Matches, kindling, paper, and lighter fluid can be tools for combustion. In chemistry terms, combustion is any process in which a substance combines with oxygen to produce heat and light. Cars run because their engines use combustion to get the cylinders to fire.

Definitions of combustion

1. noun

   a process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give heat and light
   synonyms: burning

   types:

   deflagration

   combustion that propagates through a gas or along the surface of an explosive at a rapid rate driven by the transfer of heat

   fire, flame, flaming

   the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke

   internal combustion

   the combustion of fuel inside a cylinder (as in an internal-combustion engine)

   blaze, blazing

   a strong flame that burns brightly

   flare

   a sudden burst of flame

   ignition

   the process of initiating combustion or catching fire

   type of:

   oxidation, oxidisation, oxidization

   the process of oxidizing; the addition of oxygen to a compound with a loss of electrons; always occurs accompanied by reduction
2. noun

   the act of burning something
   synonyms: burning

   types:

   arson, fire-raising, incendiarism

   malicious burning to destroy property

   firing, ignition, inflammation, kindling, lighting

   the act of setting something on fire

   incineration

   the act of burning something completely; reducing it to ashes

   cremation

   the incineration of a dead body

   type of:

   change of integrity

   the act of changing the unity or wholeness of something
3. noun

   a state of violent disturbance and excitement
   “combustion grew until revolt was unavoidable”

   type of:

   garboil, tumult, tumultuousness, uproar, zoo

   a state of commotion and noise and confusion