fuel cell

noun

: a device that continuously changes the chemical energy of a fuel (such as hydrogen) and an oxidant directly into electrical energy

Examples of fuel cell in a Sentence

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.
PGMs are vital to hydrogen technology, acting as catalysts in fuel cells to power electric vehicles. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026 While the rendezvous target was deployed as planned and tracked by radar, Mission Control called the demo off when the pressure glitch occurred because the fuel cells were key to power Gemini 5 for its full 8-day mission. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Burton said the company has a fleet of about 200 trucks, 56 of which are now zero-emission, including hydrogen fuel cells and battery electrics whose charging time is factored into the logistics of the drive. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Its preferred fixes include rapid deployment of natural-gas turbines and fuel cells, colocating data centers with operating nuclear plants, and converting former Bitcoin-mining sites that already have access to power infrastructure. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fuel cell

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fuel cell was in 1922

Rhymes for fuel cell

See All Rhymes for fuel cell

Browse Nearby Words

fuel-air bomb
fuel cell
fuel dope
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fuel cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuel%20cell. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

fuel cell

noun
: a device that continuously changes the chemical energy of a fuel (as hydrogen) into electrical energy

More from Merriam-Webster on fuel cell

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fuel cell

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

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

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All