ignition

noun

ig·​ni·​tion ig-ˈni-shən How to pronounce ignition (audio)
1
a
: the device that is used to ignite the fuel mixture in a gasoline engine
put the key in the ignition
b
: the process or means (such as an electric spark) of igniting a fuel mixture
2
: the act or action of igniting: such as
a
: the starting of a fire
b
: the heating of a plasma to a temperature high enough to sustain nuclear fusion

Examples of ignition in a Sentence

There's a problem with the car's ignition.
Recent Examples on the Web The worker left his keys in the ignition and the engine running. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2024 More:Jury takes less than an hour to convict unlicensed driver in fatal New Year's Day crash Who pays for an ignition interlock device? Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2024 An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as a hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire, according to a NHTSA report. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024 Today, strong winds will likely impact these wildfires and the potential for new ignitions remains. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2024 The suspects damaged the ignition in an attempt to steal the vehicle, then fled the scene. Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2024 The Justice Department alleged that Edison owned, maintained and operated the power lines that caused both ignitions. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 The heat from this ignition starts the decomposition of the sodium azide, which is poisonous, and the generation of nitrogen gas to fill the air bag in seconds. Detroit Free Press, 25 Feb. 2024 That was just one of a string of problems for the maiden launch, which had already been postponed after ignition failures hit two of the rocket’s secondary booster engines. Junko Ogura, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ignition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ignition was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near ignition

Cite this Entry

“Ignition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignition. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ignition

noun
ig·​ni·​tion ig-ˈnish-ən How to pronounce ignition (audio)
1
: the act of igniting
2
: the process or means (as an electric spark) of igniting a fuel mixture
also : an electrical device for operating an ignition system (as in an automobile)
put the key in the ignition

More from Merriam-Webster on ignition

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