ignite

verb

ig·​nite ig-ˈnīt How to pronounce ignite (audio)
ignited; igniting
Synonyms of ignitenext

transitive verb

1
a
: to set afire
also : kindle
b
: to cause (a fuel) to burn
2
: to subject to fire or intense heat
especially : to render luminous by heat
3
a
: to heat up : excite
oppression that ignited the hatred of the people
b
: to set in motion : spark
ignite a debate

intransitive verb

1
: to catch fire
2
: to begin to glow
ignitability
ig-ˌnī-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce ignite (audio)
noun
ignitable adjective
or less commonly ignitible
ig-ˈnī-tə-bəl How to pronounce ignite (audio)
igniter noun
or less commonly ignitor
ig-ˈnī-tər How to pronounce ignite (audio)

Synonyms of ignite

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Examples of ignite in a Sentence

The fire was ignited by sparks. The paper ignited on contact with sparks. a material that ignites easily Three wins in a row ignited the team. His proposal is igniting opposition.
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.
In modern nuclear weapons, conventional explosives set off a fission reaction—the splitting of big atoms—whose intensity then ignites a fusion reaction that combines light atoms. — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 The cheesecloth did not char or ignite, according to the test report record. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 Who knows—your own ghostly gathering may ignite something that stands the test of time. — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026 When the tin fog is ignited, the explosion produces a plasma fifty times hotter than the surface of the sun. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ignite

Word History

Etymology

Latin ignitus, past participle of ignire to ignite, from ignis

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ignite was in 1666

Phrases Containing ignite

Rhymes for ignite

See All Rhymes for ignite

Browse Nearby Words

ignitable
ignite
igniter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ignite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignite. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ignite

verb
ig·​nite ig-ˈnīt How to pronounce ignite (audio)
ignited; igniting
1
a
: to set on fire : light
b
: to cause (a fuel mixture) to burn
2
: to catch fire
3
: to set in motion : spark
ignite a debate
ignitable
-ˈnīt-ə-bəl
adjective
igniter noun
also ignitor
-ˈnīt-ər How to pronounce ignite (audio)
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