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combustion

combustion

60 5.6
The process of burning that produces heat and often light
  • noun
  • /kəmˈbʌs.tʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : combustión
  • It's created by the combustion of carbon fuels and must be vented away from engines.
  • fuel combustion
  • combustion engine
  • fossil fuel combustion

Well, where in the cell do we have combustion?

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Examples

  • For example, we we're interested in combustion of methane or the combustion of isooctane.

  • Too much oil can cause spontaneous combustion.

  • Much of this is due to increased recovery and combustion rates in recent years.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Internal means inside, combustion means it burns, and an engine is something that does useful work.

  • The concept of the internal combustion engine has been obsolete for over 50 years.

  • In terms of number rather than mass, incomplete combustion is the leading source of particulate contamination.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The invention of the internal combustion engine was attributed to a German, Gottlieb Daimler.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Modern incinerators with better designs and computerized combustion controls have lower emissions.

    Academic text (1993)
  • NOx can also be reduced after combustion by selective catalytic reduction and by ammonia injection.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The combustion of fossil fuels is a major contributor to air pollution.

Synonyms

fire
vscombustion
1.0

A burning flame that gives heat and light

is the chemical reaction with oxygen underlying visible flames and smoke
burning
vscombustion
157 1.0

The act of setting something on fire to destroy it

is a chemical reaction that specifically involves oxygen rather than a simple act
combustion of fuel
vscombustion
  • Specialized
4.2

A process where fuel burns in air to make heat and light for energy

is the general process not limited to energy use or specific substances

Antonyms

To put an end to a fire or a debt

Compounds

internal combustion
  • Specialized
12 4.9

The burning of fuel inside an engine to make power

11 4.5

A machine that burns fuel inside to make power to move a car or plane

3 7.8

A fire that starts inside something without an outside flame or heat

combustion of fuel
  • Specialized
4.2

A process where fuel burns in air to make heat and light for energy

7.7

A machine like a steam engine that burns fuel outside its cylinder to use the heat to make motion

A machine that burns fuel inside and makes power in four piston strokes

How Intense

explosion
2.8
combustion
  • Specialized
60 5.6
burning
157 1.0

Surface Forms

combustion singular
combustions plural

Morphology

combustion = combust + ion

Although analyzable as 'combust' + '-ion', the root 'combust' is not a productive or familiar standalone English word for typical learners, so the meaning 'burning' is not transparently derived.

Etymology

The word combustion comes from an old Latin verb comburere, made of com- ('together') and a root that meant 'to burn', which is like the English word 'burn'. So, combustion is the process of burning that gives off heat and often light.