afterburner

noun

af·​ter·​burn·​er ˈaf-tər-ˌbər-nər 

1

: a device incorporated into the tailpipe of a turbojet engine for injecting fuel into the hot exhaust gases and burning it to provide extra thrust

2

: a device for burning or catalytically destroying unburned or partially burned carbon compounds in exhaust (as from an automobile)

Examples of afterburner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During takeoff and supersonic runs, the afterburners typically are lit. —Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Liverpool’s captain sees it as something of an insult if he is ever asked to put the afterburners on and engage in a sprint, but he was forced to match Isak’s speed and pull across to the far touchline to engage during their most recent meeting at St James’ Park. —Mark Carey, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025

Alvarado began their move in the far turn, threading up through the six-horse field until the top of the stretch, and then turned on the afterburners in the last couple of furlongs to sail past the front of the pack. —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Yet even without afterburners, supercruise comes with its own challenges. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

afterburning "burning of combustible gases after they have left the engine" (from after- + burning, gerund of burn entry 1) + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for afterburner

• burner
• earner
• learner
• sterner

Kids Definition

afterburner

noun

af·​ter·​burn·​er -ˌbər-nər 

: a burner attached to the tail pipe of a turbojet engine for forcing fuel into the hot exhaust gases and burning it to provide extra forward push