ignite

verb

ig·nite ig-ˈnīt

ignited; igniting

Synonyms of ignite

transitive verb

: to set afire

also : kindle

: to cause (a fuel) to burn

: to subject to fire or intense heat

especially : to render luminous by heat

: to heat up : excite

oppression that ignited the hatred of the people

: to set in motion : spark

ignite a debate

intransitive verb

: to catch fire

: to begin to glow

ignitability

ig-ˌnī-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

ignitable adjective

or less commonly ignitible

ig-ˈnī-tə-bəl

igniter noun

or less commonly ignitor

ig-ˈnī-tər

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.

Hot rubber, tire debris, or other parts can also land on dry vegetation and ignite it. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Criminal complaints filed against Abdulkarim in state and federal court show the videos are now a vital part of the case against the warehouse forklift driver, evidence identifying him as the culprit who allegedly ignited the massive fire. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Heat can affect performance and, in severe cases, trigger thermal runaway, a chain reaction in which a battery cell rapidly overheats and can ignite. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 In better markets, this would have ignited a rally across all AI names. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 1 Sep. 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

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

ignitable

ignite

igniter

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ignite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignite. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

ignite

verb

ig·nite ig-ˈnīt

ignited; igniting

: to set on fire : light

: to cause (a fuel mixture) to burn

: to catch fire

: to set in motion : spark

ignite a debate

ignitable

-ˈnīt-ə-bəl

adjective

igniter noun

also ignitor

-ˈnīt-ər

ignite

verb

Synonyms of ignite

Examples of ignite in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes

ignite

verb

Synonyms of ignite

Examples of ignite in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing ignite

Rhymes for ignite

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes