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
Brie Stimson , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
Native Hawaiians upset with the U.S. military’s history of damaging Hawaiian lands with target practice and fuel leaks want the Army out.
—Audrey McAvoy, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 7 July 2025
In this new digital landscape, the integrity of AI systems depends entirely on the trustworthiness of the data that fuels them.
—Wendy Chin, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fuel
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Noun
Lynyrd Skynyrd founding member wanted the band to continue after his death
Ronnie Van Zant was killed in a plane crash in October 1977 when the band’s chartered flight bound for Louisiana ran out of fuel.
—Brie Stimson , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
Native Hawaiians upset with the U.S. military’s history of damaging Hawaiian lands with target practice and fuel leaks want the Army out.
—Audrey McAvoy, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
Verb
Tensions with China have fueled American efforts to find alternative sources of critically important minerals like graphite.
—Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 7 July 2025
In this new digital landscape, the integrity of AI systems depends entirely on the trustworthiness of the data that fuels them.
—Wendy Chin, Forbes.com, 7 July 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 12 Jul. 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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