refuel

verb

re·​fu·​el (ˌ)rē-ˈfyü(-ə)l How to pronounce refuel (audio)
refueled; refueling; refuels

transitive verb

: to provide with additional fuel

intransitive verb

: to take on additional fuel

Examples of refuel in a Sentence

The crew refueled the airplane. The airplane landed to refuel.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Every spring, these gangly creatures migrate north to their nesting grounds in Canada and Alaska — and some make a pitstop to rest and refuel in Monte Vista. Sarah Kuta, The Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2024 Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, were expected to refuel on Howland in July 1937, but never arrived. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 29 Nov. 2024 Not least because the SpaceX rocket that will take them to the surface must refuel in Earth orbit before heading to the Moon, where astronauts will then board the landing system. Tom Howarth follow, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 Air quality alerts can be accompanied by various calls to action depending on the specific concern, with residents sometimes being advised to avoid refueling their cars or being asked to avoid driving or carpool instead. Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for refuel 

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of refuel was in 1811

Dictionary Entries Near refuel

Cite this Entry

“Refuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refuel. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

refuel

verb
re·​fu·​el (ˈ)rē-ˈfyü-əl How to pronounce refuel (audio)
: to provide with or take on more fuel

More from Merriam-Webster on refuel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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