refuel

verb

re·​fu·​el (ˌ)rē-ˈfyü(-ə)l How to pronounce refuel (audio)
refueled; refueling; refuels

transitive verb

: to provide with additional fuel

intransitive verb

: to take on additional fuel

Examples of refuel in a Sentence

The crew refueled the airplane. The airplane landed to refuel.
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.
Breakfast helps refuel the body after a long stretch without food overnight, according to Nemours. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026 The credit for alternative-refueling property, including EV chargers, expired June 30. — Razak Diallo, Baltimore Sun, 23 Aug. 2026 The resumption of Saudi exports could help ease tight supply of heavier grades that produce more residue fuel which ⁠can be used to refuel ships or processed further at refineries, to yield higher quality fuels such as gasoline and diesel. — August 18, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Reactors like Natrium will have to be refueled roughly every two years. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for refuel

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of refuel was in 1811

Rhymes for refuel

See All Rhymes for refuel

Browse Nearby Words

reft
refuel
refuge
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Refuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refuel. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

refuel

verb
re·​fu·​el (ˈ)rē-ˈfyü-əl How to pronounce refuel (audio)
: to provide with or take on more fuel
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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