- [uncountable, countable] any material that produces heat or power, usually when it is burnt
- diesel/jet/rocket fuel
- Most of the houses are heated with solid fuel (= wood, coal, etc.).
- The plant reprocesses spent fuel from nuclear power stations.
- The car has a 65-litre fuel tank.
- a car with high fuel consumption
- New engine designs are improving fuel efficiency.
- We aim to cut emissions and boost fuel economy.
- We use fuel oil to heat our house.
- steadily rising fuel prices
- Domestic fuel bills are set to rise again in the autumn.
Extra ExamplesTopics The environmentb1- The power plant burns sugar cane as fuel.
- What sort of fuel does the car run on?
- A tax on carbon-producing fuels such as coal and oil was proposed.
- Make sure you don't run out of fuel.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- clean
- smokeless
- unleaded
- …
- burn
- consume
- run on
- …
- bill
- costs
- prices
- …
Definitions on the go
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- [uncountable] a thing that is said or done that makes something, especially an argument, continue or get worse
- The new information adds fuel to the debate over safety procedures.
- The revelations gave new fuel to angry opponents of the proposed law.
- His remarks simply added fuel to the fire/flames of her rage.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French fouaille, based on Latin focus ‘hearth’ (in late Latin ‘fire’).
Check pronunciation:
fuel